Productivity and fruit quality of ‘Clery’ strawberry affected by planting density in a soilless growing system

Summary

This field trial compared two planting densities (10 and 14 plants m⁻²) for 'Clery' strawberry cultivated in a soilless, tabletop system in a Serbian greenhouse. Lower density (10 plants m⁻²) produced higher individual plant yields (545.4 g plant⁻¹), more fruits per plant (27.8), and larger average fruit weight (20.0 g), whilst higher density (14 plants m⁻²) significantly increased glucose, citric acid, malic acid and shikimic acid concentrations in fruit. The authors conclude that 10 plants m⁻² represents the more suitable density for this cultivar in soilless production, balancing yield with fruit quality.

Regional applicability

This research was conducted in Serbia under controlled greenhouse conditions and may have limited direct transferability to United Kingdom outdoor or polytunnel strawberry production systems, which typically operate under different environmental conditions and management protocols. However, the soilless cultivation method and cultivar ('Clery') are used in UK commercial horticulture, and the findings on density–yield–quality trade-offs could inform UK greenhouse strawberry producers, particularly those using similar tabletop systems.

Key measures

Planting density (10 vs 14 plants m⁻²); number of fruits plant⁻¹; yield plant⁻¹ (g); average fruit weight (g); harvest duration; glucose (g kg⁻¹); citric acid (mg g⁻¹); malic acid (mg g⁻¹); shikimic acid (μg g⁻¹); soluble solids; fructose; vitamin C content

Outcomes reported

The study measured yield components (fruits per plant, yield per plant, fruit weight), morphometric traits, and nutritional properties (glucose, fructose, organic acids, vitamin C content) of 'Clery' strawberry cultivar under two planting densities in a soilless growing system. Economic and agronomic trade-offs between planting densities were assessed to optimise production efficiency.

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