Biosensing Method of Growth Diagnosis in Forcing Culture of Strawberry

—Biological Indicators for Evaluating Growth Inhibition under Low Temperatures—

Abstract

To develop a labor-saving growth diagnosis system for forcing culture of strawberry, a biosensing method is required. In this study, biological indicators suitable for evaluating growth inhibition in a low temperature period were determined from weekly measurements. Growth differences that may have been caused by physical states appeared in the newer leaves. Not only the third-leaf petiole length, which is used by producers, but also the third-leaf area and height indicated growth inhibition. Moreover, earlier estimation was enabled by using the second leaf. The first leaf, which was expected to be a much earlier indicator, was not suitable because of weekly fluctuations in the petiole length information. Leaf development frequency and height were proposed as indicators instead.