Influence of growth medium on yield, quality indexes and SPAD values in strawberry plants

- Different growth media could improve the agronomic characteristics of strawberry crop.
- The purpose was to study the influence of the growth medium and the effect of the crop cycle on fruit yield and quality.
- Fruit yield per plant and quality were enhanced in the coir fibre.
- Anthocyanins differed significantly in relation to treatment. The highest values were observed in coir fibre.

The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of the growth medium on fruit yield, quality indexes and SPAD values in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) plants during a two-year period. Two trials were conducted in methacrylate tunnel-type greenhouses under natural light and temperature conditions in Huelva (SW Spain). Trials were carried out at two different stages of the crop cycle (early and late) in two years.A completely randomized block design with two treatment factors (growth medium and week of harvest) and three replications was established. The types of growth media were soil (T1) and coir fibre (T2). Fruit yield per plant, fruit weight, fruit quality parameters and SPAD values were monitored in both years of the study. Strawberry yield and fruit quality was affected by the growth media during the early and late crop cycle in both years (Trial I and Trial II). The fruit yield per plant and fruit quality of 'Sabrina' strawberry cultivar was enhanced by the coir fibre (T2) and our results showed changes in internal quality parameters associated with SPAD values.