Effects of Planting Date and Nutrition Solution Concentration on Yield and Quality Properties of Strawberry Fruit CV Camarosa Grown in Ahvaz Condition

This research was done to evaluate the effects of planting date and concentration of Hoagland nutrition solution on the yield and quality of strawberry fruit cv. Camarosa grown in Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. The research plan was designed as factorial based on completely randomized blocks (RCBD) with two factors of planting date (at three levels of 1 Dec., 20 Dec. and 10 Jan.) and concentration of Hoagland nutrition solution (at three levels: one-third, two-third and full strength Hoagland) with three replications. The results showed that a maximum flower and inflorescence number were obtained in plants which were fertigated with full strength Hoagland and planted at first and second planting dates (26.33 and 5.33, respectively). Also maximum fruit set ratio (74.86%) was recorded in nutrition with full strength Hoagland and planting date of 20 Dec. Maximum fruit weight (12 g), fruit number (14.33) and plant yield (172.77 g) were obtained under the nutrition with two-third strength Hoagland and 1 Dec planting date. However, the nutrition with full strength Hoagland nutrient solution having the best effects on fruit quality resulted in maximum vitamin C and fruit firmness (at first planting date) and maximum total soluble solids (at all three planting dates), but there were no significant differences with the results obtained for nutrition with two-third Hoagland. Based on the results and considering the high costs of producing nutrient solutions for hydroponics culture and also the short growth cycle of strawberry plant in Ahvaz to produce appropriate yields and high quality strawberries, planting on Dec 1 and nutrition with two-third strength Hoagland are recommended.