The effect of foliar application of glucose and mono potassium phosphate (KH2PO4) on some characteristics of strawberry cultivar "Camarosa" in Hydroponic condition

Strawberry is one of the most important horticultural greenhouse products in different areas. This fruit includes most economical and commercial importance. Also, it is rich in vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants and other substances. The plants that grow in greenhouse have flat taste because they do not receive enough light in winter. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of glucose and mono potassium phosphate on growth and physiological characteristics, yields and the quality of strawberry cultivar "Camarosa" under hydroponic condition.

The treatments included foliar application of glucose (without treatment as control, 2 and 4 grams per liter) and mono potassium phosphate (without treatment as control, 0.5, 1 and 2 grams per liter) that applied in two stages of growth. The experiment was conducted as factorial based on completely randomized design in three replications at Shahed University in 2016.

The results showed that the integrated foliar application of glucose and mono potassium phosphate had a significant effect (p<0.01) on leaf area, chlorophyll a and b, concentration of potassium and phosphorus, number of fruit, fruit total weight, firmness, electrical conductivity, pH, flavor index and glucose. Some characteristics such as chlorophyll a and b, firmness, flavor index (TSS/TA) and glucose have increased. Otherwise, electrical conductivity, pH, concentration of potassium and phosphorous and leaf area have decreased. The results showed that the highest concentration of glucose increased to 57%.in compared to the control treatment.

The best treatment for physiological characteristics was 1 gram per liter mono potassium phosphate in combination with 4 grams per liter glucose. The best treatment for increasing the chlorophyll, TSS/TA, firmness was 4 grams per liter of sugar and 2 grams per liter mono potassium phosphate. However, 0.5 grams per liter mono potassium phosphate and 2 grams per liter glucose were increased the concentration of phosphorus. So, foliar application of glucose and mono potassium phosphate can change the taste and it means the fruit will be sweet and delicious.