Abstract

JESUS, Gabriel Lucas de; PAULETTI, Volnei; ZAWADNEAK, Maria Aparecida Cassilha  and  CUQUEL, Francine Lorena. Strawberry quality affected by the nitrate:ammonium ratio in the nutrient solution. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2021, vol.12, n.5, pp.753-763.  Epub Mar 14, 2022. ISSN 2007-0934.  https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v12i5.2764.

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) production by using the semi-hydroponic fertigation system, is an increasingly adopted technology. One of the main challenges of this system is the nutritional management of nitrate (NO3 -) and ammonium (NH4 +), which can affect fruits development and quality. This work aims to determine the NO3 -:NH4 + ratio of the nutrient solution for better quality of strawberry fruits grown in a semi-hydroponic system. ‘San Andreas’ strawberry runners were planted in an organic substrate composed by charred rice husk and pine bark. The NO3 -:NH4 + proportions evaluated in fertigation were 100:0; 75:25; 50:50; 25:75 and 0:100. Leaf nitrogen contents and aerial dry mass loss showed a proportional increase concomitantly NH4+ increase on the solution. Leaf area and chlorophyll content increased up to 29% NH4 + in the nutrient solution, while higher concentrations negatively affected these characteristics. Chemical fruits’ features were not affected by the NO3 -:NH4 + ratio, but the pulp firmness decreased as the NH4 + increased in the nutrient solution. Results obtained showed the best strawberry fruits development and quality were obtained by applying NO3 -:NH4 + in fertigation solution at the ratio of 71:29.

Keywords : Fragaria x ananassa Duch; ammonium nutrition, ‘San Andreas’, soilless cultivation.

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