Salinity, Supplementary Calcium and Potassium Effects on Fruit Yield and Quality of Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.)

Abstract

Fruit set and quality in strawberry cv. Selva were influenced by salinity (NaCl) and supplementary calcium and potassium (CaSO , CaCl , K SO ) treatments applied to the root medium of plants growing in 4 2 2 4 soilless culture under heated greenhouse conditions. Yield components such as primary fruit weight and fresh fruit weight (at harvest time) and fruit number were higher in control and there was no significant differences between control and NaCl (35 mM)+CaSO (10 mM). Primary fruit weight and fresh fruit weight (at harvest time) 4 were decreased by salinity, even by CaSO or CaCl or K SO . Total acidity was higher in NaCl+CaCl (5 mM) 4 2 2 4 2 treatment compared to others. Total soluble solid and vitamin C were higher in NaCl+CaSO (10 mM) treatment 4 compared to other treatments. TSS/TA ratio was higher in NaCl+K SO (10 mM) treatment compared to others. 24 Our results suggest that in saline conditions, CaSO application cause increase in fruit yield and quality of 4 strawberry.