The experiment was carried out from June to October 2008 in Três Corações, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. It was in a completely randomized design, in factorial scheme 2x3 with three replications. The first factor corresponded to two installation times of the mulching (before and after transplanting) and the second was related to three mulching colors (black, silver and white). The strawberry seedlings (cv. Oso Grande) were transplanted on June 6, 2008. The harvest began 75 days after transplanting date, being extended until mid October. Average number of fruits per plant, fruits average length (cm), average fruits fresh mass (g plant-1), average number of leaves per plant and average leaflet length (cm) were evaluated. The average number of fruits and fresh mass showed significant effect in the interaction between the two factors. Average fruit length and number of leaves presented significant effect only for the mulch factor. Thus, in the condition that the experiment was carried out, we can conclude that the black and the silver mulches enabled a yield increase and better fruits development, since it was installed before seedling transplanting.
Fragaria x ananassa; plasticulture; management
