Abstract
Growth substrates (polyester wool, rice husk, and wheat straw), along with soil as control treatment, were compared for vegetative growth, yield, and quality of strawberry cv. Chandler. All growth substrates tested showed good results in terms of growth rate as compared with control. Strawberry plants grown in polyester wool showed the highest (89.50%) survival rate as compared to rice husk (70.50%), wheat straw (64.63%), and control (67.56%). Moreover, a significant increase was observed among number of flowers, fruits, and yield in plants grown in polyester wool. Besides, a significant high amount of total soluble solids (TSS) (12.38 ºBrix), titratable acidity (TA) (1.21%), ash (0.72%), vitamin C (37.39 mg/100 g), total carotenoids (3.90 µg/100 g), and total anthocyanins (3.47 cyanidine-3-glucoside/100 g) was recorded in fruits grown in polyester wool as compared to control. From these results, it can be concluded that the use of polyester wool as a growth substrate for strawberries can give higher yield and better fruit quality.
Highlights
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is a high value crop which is well known due to its colour, taste, and nutritional value which is increasing its economic importance [1]. ese small fruits serve as an important source of different minerals and vitamin C and are rich in antioxidants [2, 3].Because of their high nutritional contents and economic importance, cultivars and advanced cultivation techniques are gaining importance in order to meet growing market demand
Results regarding survival percentage of strawberry plants showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among different growing media (Figure 1). e lowest survival percentage (64.63%) was noted in strawberry plants grown in wheat straw, while the highest survival percentage (89.50%) was noted in plants grown in polyester wool
Maximum leaf area was noticed in plants grown in polyester wool, while minimum leaf area was observed in plants grown in soil, whereas nonsignificant difference (P > 0.05) was recorded between plants grown in rice husk and wheat straw
Summary
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is a high value crop which is well known due to its colour, taste, and nutritional value which is increasing its economic importance [1]. ese small fruits serve as an important source of different minerals and vitamin C and are rich in antioxidants [2, 3].Because of their high nutritional contents and economic importance, cultivars and advanced cultivation techniques are gaining importance in order to meet growing market demand. Is technique causes vulnerability to soilborne diseases such as Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora crown and Journal of Food Quality root rot, black root rot, and charcoal rot caused by Verticillium dahliae, Phytophthora cactorum, Cylindrocarpon destructans, and Macrophomina phaseolina, respectively, in different strawberry cultivars [4, 5]. Different chemical disinfectants such as chloropicrin and methyl bromide fumigants have been used in the past to lessen the effect of soilborne pathogens and diseases [6]. These chemicals are dangerous for the overall environment as well. ese concerns have resulted in efforts to phase out most of the chemicals around the world [7, 8]. e use of 1, 3dichloropropene and chloropicrin or their mixtures has been subjected to granting of exceptional uses depending on the crop, soilborne pathogen, and production area [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
