In order to evaluate the effect of potassium doses supplied by fertigation and of calcium by foliar spray on plant growth, fruit yield and quality of soilless grown strawberries, plants were supplied with nutrient solutions at K+ concentrations of 9 (T1); 6 (T2, control) and 4.28mmol L-1 (T3) and with the control nutrient solution (T2) supplemented once a week by spraying CaCl2 on shoot at concentrations of 2.5 (T4) and 5g L- 1 (T5). Plant growth was lower in the higher potassium concentration (T1) and the highest LAI was recorded in the higher CaCl2 dose (T5). Fruit yield was higher in T2 and T3, the titratable acidity (TA) was higher in T1, while total soluble solids (TSS) and the ratio TTS/TA did not differ among treatments. It was concluded that high potasium concentration in the nutrient solution reduces plant growth, fruit yield and quality and that calcium supplied on shoot by CaCl2 reduces fruit production.
Fragaria x ananassa; substrate; nutrient solution; cations
