An Optimal Combination of the Propagation Medium and Fogging Duration Enhances the Survival, Rooting and Early Growth of Strawberry Daughter Plants

Runner propagation is an important process in strawberry cultivation, which influences plant survival and fruit yield during the commercial production. In South Korea, this process is carried out on plug tray benches that are set off the ground in greenhouses, rather than in open fields. During the propagation, the propagation media and fogging systems play an important role in the survival and rooting of daughter plants. The aim of this study is to investigate the influences of the different types of propagation media and various fogging treatments on the rooting and early growth of strawberry daughter plants. Two strawberry cultivars—‘Maehyang’ and ‘Seolhyang’—in a glasshouse, grown in four different propagation media-a peat moss-based mixture (PBM), rockwool cube (RWC), granular rockwool (GRW), and a coir-based mixture (CBM)—combined with five fogging durations, 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days were tested. PBM with 9–12 days of fogging was the most ideal combination for the rooting and early growth of daughter plants of the two strawberry cultivars, which increased the ratio of survival and rooting, number of new leaves, root length and maximised the fresh and dry weights of the aboveground and belowground runner biomass. However, fogging treatments shorter than 9 days led to a lower survival rate and rooting. RWC and GRW are not recommended for young plants of these two strawberry cultivars because their strong water-retentive properties could subject the root to water stress, which can lead to root rotting. The purpose of this study is to provide a reference for strawberry growers to improve the quality of plants and efficiency of production during the propagation period.