Growth and Yield of Strawberries under Different Potassium Concentrations of Hydroponic System in Three Substrates

Abstract

Abstract: In this study effect of different types of substrate, concentrations of potassium and cultivars were evaluated on yield and quality parameters of strawberry in hydroponic system. The statistical design was split plot-factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications. The factors were three strawberry cultivars under three potassium concentrations (200, 300 and 400 ppm) of nutrient solution of KH2PO 4, KNO3 and K2SO 4 and three different substrates (peat + sand + perlite, cocopeat + perlite and sand + perlite). Results showed that increasing the concentration of potassium to 300 ppm in nutrient solution increased vitamin C content, TSS, fruit number, fruit weight, yield of plant, root weight, root dry weight and length of root. Substrate cocopeat + perlite had significant effects on some growth factors. The substrate consisting cocopeat + perlite increased plant yield and fruit number. Also the highest vitamine C content, TSS and Ta was obtained in peat + sand + perlite substrate. In addition the highest total yield was obtained from Parus with 300 ppm potassium in cocopeat + perlite substrate (921.84 g/plant). Therefore if the goal is to increasing fruit production and yield per unit area, recommended the cocopeat + perlite substrate cultivation, but if consider to quality and taste of strawberry fruit, the ideal cultivation substrate was peat + sand + perlite. Also, Parus cultivar due to having the most yield was the best cultivar. Key words: Hydroponic Potassium nutrient solution Strawberry Substrat Crop quality