Using vermicompost and fall fertilization for improving quality characteristics of strawberry cv. Camarosa (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv. Camarosa) in soilless culture

The use of vermicompost and fall fertilization in soilless culture on strawberry cv. Camarosa quality characteristics was evaluated in a factorial based on completely randomized design pot experiment with 5 replicates. Experimental treatments were four chemical fertilization timings (no fertilizer، using fertilizer at fall، spring، fall + spring) and three levels of vermicompost (10، 20 and 40% v/v)، three levels of cattle manure (10، 20 and 40% v/v) and control medium (50% peat: 50% perlite). The total number of pots in this experiment was 140. The results showed the highest total soluble solids (TDS)، 13. 35%، and titratable acidity، 8. 54%، on growing medium containing 10% cattle manure with spring fertilization. Likewise، the highest fruit firmness (0. 43 kg/cm2) was observed in growing medium containing 10% cattle manure with fall + spring fertilization. The total antioxidant activity was obtained using the DPPH (2، 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). The total antioxidant capacity was increased in medium containing 10% vermicompost with spring fertilization، 20% cattle manure with fall fertilization and 40% cattle manure without fertilization (95. 18، 95. 34، and 95. 47%)، respectively. The highest anthocyanin (18. 84 mg/l) was produced in growing medium containing 40% vermicompost with fall fertilization. It can be concluded that an appropriate choice of growing media and fertilization timing can alter different qualities of strawberry fruits according to production goal and type of consumption. The finding of present study showed that the selection of right growing media and fertilization timings could improve strawberry fruit quality.