Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Vegetable

The impact of three substrate mixtures and three nutrient solutions on the vegetative growth, mineral content, production and fruit quality of strawberry (fragaria{u00D7}ananassa, cv. Festival) was studied under unheated double-span covered with shade plastic house conditions, at the central laboratory for Agricultural climate, Agricultural research center during the two winter seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. The three substrate mixtures were perlite:peat-moss (1:1 v/v), perlite:plant compost (4:1 v/v), and perlite:vermicompost (4:1 v/v), while the three nutrient solutions were vermicompost-tea, animal compost-tea and mineral nutrition (control). The tested factors were arranged in factorial design with three replicates. Obtained results indicated that all studied characteristics of the vegetative growth, yield and its component, fruit quality and chemical characteristics were greater by using the substrate mixtures perlite:peat-moss as compared to the other two mixtures, whereas firmness, titratable acidity (TA) and vitamins C in fruits were highest by using substrate mixtures perlite:vermicompost. The highest concentration of heavy metals (Ni and Pb), Percentage of dry matter of fruits and total carbohydrates percentage in fruits was detected when using substrate mixtures perlite: plant compost was used. Regarding effect of nutrient solution, the mineral fertilizer (control) significantly increased vegetative growth, yield and its component, TSS, fruit taste, vitamins C and chemical characteristics compared to other tested nutrient solutions. However, the fruit firmness, TA and heavy metals were significantly higher when using animal compost tea

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