Effect of day-length on the developmental pattern of axillary buds in June-bearing strawberry plants

SummaryStrawberry plants induced to flower were grown under short-day (SD) conditions (10 h) in a glasshouse for 0, 14 or 28 d, then under long-day (LD) conditions (13 h) for 49, 35 and 21 d, respectively, to identify the effect of day-length on the development of axillary buds on the primary crowns. Nodes were numbered from the apex. Node 1 was the node immediately below the primary inflorescence. Axillary buds at nodes 6 and 8 remained dormant when plants were grown under SD conditions for 14 d after flower-induction, whereas LD conditions during this period enhanced stolon formation at nodes 6 to 8. LD conditions from 14 to 28 d after flower-induction stimulated stolon formation at nodes 2 to 5, whereas the formation of branch crowns at node 4 was stimulated under SD conditions. The axillary buds just below the primary inflorescence developed into branch crowns irrespective of the photoperiod during 28 d after flower-induction. The results indicate that the axillary buds just below the primary inflorescence are destined to develop into branch crowns when the first sign of flower-induction becomes visible.