Abstract
Leaf-level physiology, yield, and fruit quality of two strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars, “BG4.370” and “Splendor” grown in five growing substrates were assessed. Substrate ratios were T1: tuff (0–4 mm), T2: cocopeat + perlite 4:1, T3: peatmoss + perlite 4:1, T4: tuff + cocopeat 4:1, and T5: tuff + peatmoss 4:1. Strawberry parameters were greatly affected by substrate composition but not cultivars. Plants grown in cocopeat + perlite 4:1 had the highest photosynthesis, transpiration, radical scavenging activity, and fruit firmness while those grown in peatmoss + perlite 4:1 had the highest yield, total phenolics and nitrate concentration compared to other substrates. Given that peat-based growing substrate has raised concerns over the environmental impacts such as, a reduction of wet-lands and loss of soil organic carbon, the lower environmental impact and higher fruit quality grown on cocopeat justifies the use of cocopeat as an alternative substrate to peatmoss.
Acknowledgments
We thank Duha Al-sakarneh for her assistance in the glasshouse measurements.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.