Effect of Clinoptilolitic Zeolite and Perlite on the Yield and Quality of Strawberry in Soilless Culture

Abstract

Most growing media for strawberries in soilless culture are peat moss, rockwool, coir, perlite or some other mixtures. Clinoptilolitic-zeolite as a cheap substrate may be replaced with commercial substrates due to high buffering and cation exchange capacity (CEC), retaining and releasing K and NH4 ions. The effects of five different media based on 1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, 0:1 v/v of perlite and zeolite were evaluated on quantity and quality of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa cv. Camarosa) fruits in soilless culture. Plants were fertilized by nutrient solution containing macro and micronutrients at EC 0.9 1.4 dS m, pH 5.8. Perlite/zeolite (P/Z) substrates 3:1 and 1:1 ratio (v/v) produced the highest fruit number per plant with 22.23 and 23.05 fruits, respectively, while zeolite alone showed the lowest fruit number. In addition, the greatest crown per plant and fruits yields were recorded on media P/Z 3:1 and 1:1 ratio, while number of flowers, fruits, fruit weight and yield/plant decreased on P/Z 1:3 ratio. Analysis of fruits indicated that highest dry weight (10.23%) total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acids (TA) and their highest ratio (10.57) were measured on P medium, whereas the highest TA was noted on Z and P/Z 1:3 ratio. The amounts of TA on P and mixtures of P/Z at 3:1 and 1:1 ratios showed no significant differences.