Effect of humus and soil substrates on production parameters and quality of organic strawberries

Lucélia Hoehne,Eduardo M Ethur,Jordana Finatto,Elisete M De Freitas,Daniel Kuhn,Débora T Brietzke,Taciélen Altmayer,Gabriela Vettorello,Maira C Martini,Ytan A Schweizer,Sabrina G Cordeiro,Wolmar A Severo Filho

doi:10.1590/s0102-053620200116

Lucélia Hoehne, Eduardo M Ethur + Show 10 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-053620200116

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Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aims to verify the most suitable substrate formulation based on proportions of earthworm humus and soil to improve the quality of organic strawberries. Vermicomposting generated humus and strawberry seedlings were planted in different humus:soil ratios: (0:100; 20:80; 40:60; 60:40; 80:20 and 100:0, respectively). The proportional conditions were characterized after planting and after 60-day cultivation, plants were harvested, and chemical characterizations of the soil and plants were made. We verified that with an increase of humus content in the substrate, an increase in values of N, P, K, pH and organic matter in soil and dry and fresh mass in shoot area of the plants were noticed. In relation to fruits, pH, humidity and sodium concentration, the authors noticed no change under any conditions and ash content was lower when an increase of humus in soil was observed. Higher values of potassium and protein occurred from 40:60 and 60:40, respectively. Higher values for average strawberry production were verified from 60:40 condition. Reducing sugars and titratable acidity increased and stabilized at 20:80 and 60:40, respectively. Thus, in order to avoid excess of nutrients in the substrate, which can hinder plant growth, humus condition in the ratio 60:40 humus:soil is recommended for higher values of production, nutrients and protein in strawberry cultivation.

Highlights

Efeito de substratos feitos de húmus e solo sobre parâmetros de produção e qualidade do morango orgânico
Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is botanically classified as a vegetable belonging to Rosaceae family, genus Fragaria
In Brazil, strawberry is produced in small properties and an increasing tendency exists in area and production improvement studies (Ritcher et al, 2018)

Summary

Introduction

Efeito de substratos feitos de húmus e solo sobre parâmetros de produção e qualidade do morango orgânico. Dessa forma, para evitar excesso de nutrientes contidos no substrato, que pode prejudicar o crescimento das plantas, indica-se a condição de 60:40 de húmus:solo para maiores valores de produção, nutrientes e proteína no cultivo de morangos. The real fruits (the achenes) are tiny structures, which contain the seeds and are attached to the receptacle. It is a typical mildclimate crop and little tolerant to high temperatures (Cronquist, 1988). Strawberry needs available nutrients in substrate in order to promote its development to produce fruits with suitable nutritional properties. Horticultura Brasileira 38 (1) January - March, 2020 which are manifested mainly through changes in the leaves, such as color, size and others, since this is the organ of the plant in full physiological and chemical activity (Gonçalves et al, 2006)

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