Summary
This field trial compared three nutrient solutions for substrate-grown strawberries over an 8-month growing season in Brazil. The proposed nutrient formulation produced larger plant biomass, higher fruit yields, and superior fruit quality metrics (elevated bioactive compounds including anthocyanins and phenolic compounds) compared to two conventional commercial solutions. Leaf tissue analysis showed the proposed solution delivered optimal nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels that contributed to both productivity and quality gains.
Regional applicability
The findings are directly applicable to protected horticulture systems in the United Kingdom, particularly for substrate-based strawberry production in glasshouses and polytunnels, which are widely used in UK soft fruit production. The nutrient formulation principles may require adaptation to UK cultivars and environmental conditions, but the methodology provides a transferable basis for nutritional optimisation in UK soilless strawberry systems.
Key measures
Plant fresh and dry matter mass, number of fruits per plant, fresh fruit mass, soluble solids content, reducing and total sugars, anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, leaf tissue nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium concentration
Outcomes reported
The study evaluated the effects of three different nutrient solutions on strawberry yield, fruit quality parameters (soluble solids, sugars, anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid), and leaf nutrient content when grown in substrate culture. The proposed nutrient solution was compared against two commercially recommended formulations.
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