Composition of soilless substrates affect the physiology and fruit quality of two strawberry (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>Duch.) cultivars

Abstract

Leaf-level physiology, yield, and fruit quality of two strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars, “BG4.370” and “Splendor” grown in five growing substrates were assessed. Substrate ratios were T1: tuff (0–4 mm), T2: cocopeat + perlite 4:1, T3: peatmoss + perlite 4:1, T4: tuff + cocopeat 4:1, and T5: tuff + peatmoss 4:1. Strawberry parameters were greatly affected by substrate composition but not cultivars. Plants grown in cocopeat + perlite 4:1 had the highest photosynthesis, transpiration, radical scavenging activity, and fruit firmness while those grown in peatmoss + perlite 4:1 had the highest yield, total phenolics and nitrate concentration compared to other substrates. Given that peat-based growing substrate has raised concerns over the environmental impacts such as, a reduction of wet-lands and loss of soil organic carbon, the lower environmental impact and higher fruit quality grown on cocopeat justifies the use of cocopeat as an alternative substrate to peatmoss.