Effect of Nutrient Solution Type and Concentration on Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Strawberry in Hydroponic Culture

In order to investigate the effect of nutrient solution type and concentration on physiological and morphological characteristics of strawberry cultivar ‘Parus’ in hydroponic culture (75% volumetric perlite + 25% volumetric cocopeat), an experiment using a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted. The growth media included Full-Strength Morgan (FSM), Double Strength Morgan (DSM), Half-Strength Morgan (HSM), Full-Strength Hoagland (FSH), and Half-Strength Hoagland (HSH). The results showed that nutrient solution type had significant effects on plant growth characteristics and quality of strawberry fruit, so that the highest number of leaves (7.16 per plant), shoot height (28.62 cm), fresh weight (11.70 g per plant) and dry weight (2.66 g per plant) of the shoot were related to the HSH treatment. But, the highest fresh weight (15.15 g per plant) and dry weight (1.40 g per plant) of roots were obtained in DSM and FSM treatments, respectively. Fruits of plants treated with FSM nutrient solution had the highest amount of vitamin C (83.4 mg/100 ml of extract) and total soluble solids (5.7%), while HSM produced the highest titrable acidity (0.17%). Nutrient solutions had no significant effect on crown diameter, and pH, firmness and color of the fruits. Therefore, HSH treatment is recommended for vegetative phase because it improves the growing conditions with less water and nutrients used. With FSM and HSM treatments, fruits with higher quality were obtained. Also because MFS nutrient solution produced more vitamin C (as a powerful antioxidant) and soluble solids (as a flavoring agent), this nutrient solution is recommended for the reproductive growth phase.