Summary
This study investigated relationships between external and internal colour and anthocyanin pigment composition in five strawberry genotypes grown in two soilless cultivation systems. Using multivariate discriminant and correlation analysis, the authors found that external and flesh colour are not directly related, and that strawberry variety was a much stronger discriminator of colour characteristics (>90% classification accuracy) than cultivation system (≈60%). The strongest colour–pigment correlations were between pelargonidin-3-rutinoside and external redness (a* = −0.87) and between pelargonidin-3-glucoside and internal lightness (L* = −0.72).
Regional applicability
This research was conducted in Spain using soilless horticulture systems; the genotype-dependent colour–anthocyanin relationships are likely transferable to United Kingdom protected cropping and soilless strawberry production. However, the specific cultivars tested may not all be commercially grown in the UK, and environmental conditions (temperature, light) in controlled systems may differ, potentially affecting anthocyanin accumulation rates.
Key measures
Colour coordinates (L*, a*, b* values), anthocyanin content (pelargonidin-3-rutinoside, pelargonidin-3-glucoside), discriminant classification accuracy by variety and cultivation system
Outcomes reported
The study examined colour parameters and anthocyanin pigment content in five strawberry varieties grown in two different soilless systems, using multivariate statistical analysis to correlate external and internal colour coordinates with specific anthocyanin compounds. External and flesh coloration were found to be independent, with strongest correlations observed between pelargonidin glycosides and specific colour coordinates (a* and L*).
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