Effects of Planting Date and Different Concentrations of Nutrient Solution in Hydroponics Culture on Yield and Quality Parameters of Strawberry Fruits cv.  Selva in Ahvaz

This research was conducted to compare the effects of three planting dates (1 Dec¡ 21 Dec and 10 Jan) and three nutrition concentrations of Epstein (Full¡ 2/3 and 1/3) on yield and quality of strawberry fruit cv. ‘Selva’ in Ahvaz. Planting date had significant effects on yield and fruit quality parameters of strawberry¡ where maximum plant yield (160.77 g)¡ fruit TSS (8.83%)¡ TSS/TA ratio (12.18) were obtained at second planting date¡ and maximum flower number (29.67)¡ fruit number (13.67)¡ firmness (1.8 N) and vitamin C (57.29 mg 100g-1) were recorded at first planting date for plants which were fertigated with full Epstein solution. Delay in planting date resulted in reduced plant yield¡ fruit number¡ fruit set¡ acidity¡ vitamin C and TSS/TA ratio. The concentration of nutrient solution also affected most of yield and fruit quality parameters significantly but fruit volume and weight¡ florescence number¡ fruit set¡ fruit length and diameter were not affected. Based on obtained data¡ planting at both 1 and 21 December and full Epstein fertigation can be recommended for hydroponically production of strawberry fruit cv. ‘Selva’ in Ahvaz.