Effect of Organic and Conventional Growing Systems with Different Mulching on Yield and Fruit Quality in Strawberry cvs. Sweet Charlie and Camarosa

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to determine yield and fruit quality of cvs. Sweet Charlie and Camarosa in conventional and organic growing systems in 2003–2005. Organic agriculture is an alternative production system that uses no synthetic pesticide or fertilizer and, therefore, it may benefit human health and the environment. This study consisted of the following eight treatments: (1) Sweet Charlie using the conventional system mulched with a black plastic (SC-CL-BP), (2) Sweet Charlie using conventional system mulched with a floating sheet (SC-CL-FS), (3) Sweet Charlie using organic system mulched with a black plastic (SC-Or-BP), (4) Sweet Charlie using organic system mulched with a floating sheet (SC-Or-FS), (5) Camarosa using conventional system mulched with a black plastic (CAM-CL-BP), (6) Camarosa using conventional mulched with a floating sheet (CAM-CL-FS), (7) Camarosa using organic system mulched with a black plastic (CAM-Or-BP), (8) Camarosa using organic system mulched with a floating sheet (CAM- Or-FS). Yield was higher in the conventional system than in the organic system in 2004, but no significant difference between the two was found in 2005. Soluble solid and vitamin C contents were higher in fruits grown using the organic system in both years. Also, the amount of rotten fruit was lower in the organic system. There was no difference between conventional and organic growing from the point of view of fruit weight and titreable acidity contents. It was shown that Camarosa when considering yield and fruit quality was superior to Sweet Charlie in the organic system. Thus, organic strawberry growing is recommended because of the benefical effects on the environment, human health and its higher price in market.