Articles
Evaluation of different low-nickel substrates in the soilless cultivation of strawberry (‘Florida Beauty’)
Article number
1465_36
Pages
237 – 242
Language
English
Abstract
The type of substrate used in soilless strawberry cultivation can affect the accumulation of nickel in the fruit, with an impact on consumers with allergenic reaction to this mineral.
The study aimed to compare the effects of three different substrates on plant growth and fruit quality.
A total of 288 plants were divided into three treatments with 100% perlite substrate, a mixture of 50% perlite and 50% coconut fibre, and 100% coconut fibre.
Each treatment consisted of 96 plants, replicated 6 times.
At each harvest were assessed the average fruit weight, total yield, marketable yield, and fruit waste.
Fruit quality evaluations included the measurement of soluble sugars (°Brix) and titratable acidity, firmness, colour, along with the determination of total polyphenols (TPH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The results highlighted that the use of 100% coconut and coconut/perlite substrates provided higher productive yield, while no significant differences were found concerning fruit quality.
The study aimed to compare the effects of three different substrates on plant growth and fruit quality.
A total of 288 plants were divided into three treatments with 100% perlite substrate, a mixture of 50% perlite and 50% coconut fibre, and 100% coconut fibre.
Each treatment consisted of 96 plants, replicated 6 times.
At each harvest were assessed the average fruit weight, total yield, marketable yield, and fruit waste.
Fruit quality evaluations included the measurement of soluble sugars (°Brix) and titratable acidity, firmness, colour, along with the determination of total polyphenols (TPH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The results highlighted that the use of 100% coconut and coconut/perlite substrates provided higher productive yield, while no significant differences were found concerning fruit quality.
Publication
Authors
F. Mecozzi, L. Mazzoni, B. Mezzetti, R. Qaderi, D. Raffaelli, V. Pergolotti, F. Capocasa
Keywords
perlite, coconut-coir, quality, small fruits, Fragaria × ananassa
Groups involved
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Working Group Strawberry Culture and Management
- Division Sustaining Horticulture in a Changing World
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
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