Study finds MKP spray may reduce strawberry pollen viability

Jaimee Harris from the Bee-Tech Group spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the use of monopotassium phosphate and concerns about the impact on strawberry fruit quality.

- Jaimee Harris

A new Bee-Tech Group study has raised concerns about the timing of monopotassium phosphate (MKP) applications in strawberries, showing a measurable reduction in pollen viability during flowering. The findings suggest that mistimed nutrient sprays could influence fruit shape, seed number and yield.

FRUIT QUALITY

Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Jaimee Harris, head of research at Bee-Tech Group, said pollen health is one of the strongest indicators of strawberry reproductive success.

“Pollen viability is one of the most direct biological indicators of whether a strawberry flower will successfully bear fruit. Each viable pollen grain can germinate, form a pollen tube, and fertilise an ovule, an essential step for producing seeds.

“In strawberries, each fertilised ovule contributes to berry swelling, meaning fruit size, shape, and uniformity depend heavily on how many viable pollen grains achieve fertilisation.”

She added that, high pollen viability results in:

• A better fruit set;

• Higher seed number, which correlates with larger, more uniform berries;

• Improved fruit quality, including firmness and external symmetry;

• Higher overall yield.

Because strawberries have many individual ovules in a single flower, even modest reductions in pollen viability can produce incomplete fertilisation, leading to misshapen fruit and lower marketability.

“This makes pollen viability a crucial measure for assessing the reproductive health of the plant,” she said.

WHY MKP CAME UNDER REVIEW