Effects of boron and honeybee on fruit quality of Fortuna strawberry cultivar throughout the active harvest season

Abstract

In this study, the effects of growing environments with and without honeybees and application in different ways (leaves, soil and leaves + soil) of B fertilizer, on fruit quality parameters of ‘Fortuna’ strawberry cultivar was researched during the active harvest season. The highest SSC (Soluble solid content), fruit flesh hardness, and fruit external color L* and C* values were measured in without-bee environments and in fruits treated with foliar application of B. It was observed that the colour intensities of the fruits harvested in May were better than those in other months. During the experiment, it was observed that the factors and combinations had no significant practical effect on fruit juice acidity levels. Generally, the parameters related to fruit quality were more influenced by climate changes occurring throughout the growing season than by the cultivation conditions and B applications, which were found to be effective but at lower levels.