Effect of mulching systems on fruit quality and phytochemical composition of newly developed strawberry lines

Li Fan,Claudine Dubé,Valentine Roux,Shahrokh Khanizadeh,Shutian Tao,Dennis Charlebois

doi:10.23986/afsci.4765

Abstract

The effects of three mulching systems on total yield, average yield per plant, average fruit weight, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), firmness and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of two newly developed lines (‘Orléans’ and ‘Saint Pierre’), one advanced selection (‘SJ8976-1’) and two commonly used cultivars (‘Jewel’ and ‘Kent’) were evaluated. The studied mulching systems were: plastic mulch (PM), mulch with row cover (PMRC), and matted-row system (MRS). Results showed that plastic mulch with row cover (PMRC) generally increased yield per plant, average fruit weight, SSC, firmness and ORAC, but differences varied within harvest times. No significant differences in total yield and TA were observed under the selected mulching systems. Both PMRC and PM accelerated the harvest periods compared to MRS. ‘Kent’ and ‘Jewel’ had the highest total yield while ‘SJ8976-1’ and ‘St-Pierre’ had the highest average fruit weight. The highest SSC, TA and ORAC were found in ‘Jewel’. There was no interaction between the mulching systems and genotypes, indicating that the effect of production system is independent of cultivars. PMRC seems to be a better growing system, improving fruit quality and increasing the nutritional value of all genotypes. By allowing off-season fruit production in cool climates, PMRC can be an alternative method to the costly high tunnels.

Highlights

More than ever, consumers are looking for healthy food containing a large array of antioxidant compounds, including flavonoids and other phenolics
The mulching systems had no significant effect on total yield, but they did have a significant effect on yield per plant and average fruit weight (Table 1)
plastic mulch with row covers (PMRC) gave the highest yield per plant and highest average fruit weight, followed by plastic mulch (PM), while matted row system (MRS) gave the least yield per plant and the lowest average fruit weight

Summary

Introduction

Consumers are looking for healthy food containing a large array of antioxidant compounds, including flavonoids and other phenolics. Such bioactive molecules offer some protection against free radicals and reactive oxygen species produced by our bodies. Recent studies have shown that phenolics are important components responsible for the antioxidant capacity (AC) observed in fruits and vegetables. Fruits, such as berries, are extremely rich natural sources of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity (Tsao et al 2006, Henning et al 2010). The increasing demand for strawberries, due to their flavour, and to their nutritional value and human health benefits, has enhanced the economic importance of the industry

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