Initial Crown Diameter Influences on the Fruit Yield and Quality of Strawberry Pircinque

Antonio Felippe Fagherazzi,Adrik Francis Richter,Gianluca Baruzzi,Francine Regianini Nerbass,Aike Anneliese Kretzschmar,Paola Daiane Welter,Daniel Suek Zanin,Marllon Fernando Soares dos Santos,Leo Rufato,Juliana Martins de Lima

doi:10.3390/agronomy11010184

Antonio Felippe Fagherazzi, Adrik Francis Richter + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010184

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Abstract

In strawberry production, the combination of a high productive performance and fruits with desirable physicochemical characteristics requires the use of plants with a good quality and high initial vigor. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of plants with different crown diameters on the productive performance and fruit quality of strawberry plants of the cultivar ‘Pircinque’ (Short Day). The study was conducted in two evaluation cycles (2016/2017 and 2017/2018). The experimental design was divided into randomized blocks, with four repetitions, and plots consisting of 20 plants. This study evaluated the crown diameters of plants of 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 mm. The productivity and number of fruit values increased significantly by 57% with larger caliber plants, which also provided precocity of productivity. The use of more vigorous plants also favored the production of fruits with higher soluble solids/titratable acidity ratios (+28%) and with epidermis coloration closer to intense red (−4.3%). For the cultivar ‘Pircinque’, plant crown diameters between 15 and 17 mm are the most favorable because they condition the best productive performances in combination with precocity and a good fruit quality.

Highlights

Published: 19 January 2021Due to its fruit’s qualitative and attractive characteristics, mainly the aroma, flavor, coloration, and firmness, and due to the high presence of functional compounds, especially polyphenols, anthocyanins, vitamin C, and ellagic acid, strawberry (Fragaria × ananassaDuchesne) is a fruit highly appreciated by consumers [1,2]
Plants with large crown diameters provide superior results regarding the productive performance of strawberry plants cv
The use of plants with crown diameters of 15 and 17 mm leads to higher yields and precocity values, and a high physical-chemical quality of the fruits

Summary

Introduction

Due to its fruit’s qualitative and attractive characteristics, mainly the aroma, flavor, coloration, and firmness, and due to the high presence of functional compounds, especially polyphenols, anthocyanins, vitamin C, and ellagic acid, strawberry Duchesne) is a fruit highly appreciated by consumers [1,2]. In this context, within small fruits, the strawberry plant is the main species cultivated worldwide. In 2018, approximately 8.3 million tons were produced in a cultivated area of 372.3 thousand hectares. Poland, Russia, the United States, Turkey, Mexico, and Germany are the leading producers in the world [3]. Despite not being considered an important strawberry producer, Brazil is the leading producer of this fruit in South America [4].

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