Summary
This field trial evaluated potassium fertilisation strategies in greenhouse-grown strawberries (cv. San Andreas) under split-plot experimental design with two source types and four dose levels. Potassium sulphate as the exclusive source outperformed potassium nitrate, yielding 21% higher fruit production and 3% higher sugar content. An optimum dose of 300 kg K₂O/ha potassium sulphate maximised both productivity and organoleptic quality, enhancing fruit yield by 44% and sugar content by 25% relative to lower doses.
Regional applicability
This research was conducted in Morocco under controlled greenhouse conditions; direct transferability to United Kingdom field production is limited by climate, growing environment, and cultivar selection. However, the findings regarding potassium source effects (sulphate superiority for quality) and optimal dose determination may inform UK strawberry production protocols, particularly for protected cultivation systems, provided cultivar-specific and soil-condition validation is undertaken.
Key measures
Number of flowers, fruit production (yield), sugar content (%), titrable acidity (g/L), and potassium dose (kg/ha K₂O)
Outcomes reported
The study measured the effects of potassium fertiliser source (potassium sulphate versus potassium nitrate) and dose (100–400 kg/ha K₂O) on strawberry productivity and quality parameters including flower number, fruit yield, sugar content, and titrable acidity. Potassium sulphate as the sole source, applied at 300 kg/ha K₂O, produced the highest yields and fruit quality metrics.
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