Effect of Plastic Mulching on Strawberry Fruit Yield and Quality

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during the two successive winter seasons of 2017/18 and 2018/19. The aims of the experiment were to investigate the effect of using three different mulch treatments (black polyethylene, clear polyethylene, and bare soil) on strawberry 'Florida' and 'Winterstar' cultivars (Fragaria X ananassa Duch) regarding the fruit yield, yield attributes, and some fruit quality characteristics (vitamin C, anthocyanin, acidity, TSS, and TSS: acidity), along with the financial aspects of using polyethylene mulching for strawberry productivity. Compared to the un-mulched plants, the total fruit yield of 'Florida' and 'Winterstar' plants was increased by ~40-49% and 17-18%, respectively in the black plastic mulching in the two years. Clear plastic mulching was accompanied by an increased total yield of 'Florida' by 19-34%, while decreased 'Winterstar' fruit yield by 14-24%. Regarding vitamin C content, the main effects of mulching treatment showed that plants grown in black plastic mulching had significantly higher vitamin C content than clear plastic (both seasons) or no mulching (second season). 'Florida' plants in the black plastic mulching achieved significantly the highest vitamin C levels compared to the other treatments. Similarly, 'Florida' plants in the black plastic mulching had higher TSS content than the other mulching treatments. Depending on the cultivar used and the growing season, plastic mulching (whether clear or black) was beneficial in improving the fruits anthocyanin content compared to the un-mulched plants. In conclusion, plastic mulching (especially the black) was helpful in improving fruits contents of vitamin C and anthocyanin compared to the un-mulched plants. Regarding the financial aspect, using black plastic mulching for strawberry production in Assiut governorate was more profitable than the un-mulched farm.

Crop Geometry and Mulch on Strawberry Postharvest Quality

“…The strawberry fruits lying on the ground come in contact with soil making the fruits dirty and susceptible to soil-borne pathogen infections, leading to reduced fruit quality. This is an additional advantage of using mulches in strawberry production by reducing the number of diseased and dirty berries [32].…”

The Effects of Different Irrigation and Fertilization Levels and Mulching Materials on the Yield and Quality of Strawberry

“…After the strawberry fruits were homogenized, the juice passed through coarse filter paper was determined by dripping on a hand refractometer (0-53 scale, Refractometer Pal-1), and the results were expressed as % [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

“…After the fruit extract was prepared, the pH-differential method was applied to find the total anthocyanin content. The amount of anthocyanin was calculated in terms of cyanidin 3-glucose in all samples [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

“…In a soilless closed system, excessive potassium intake reduces the sugar content and quality of strawberries. While potassium (K) deficiency ultimately limits the color development in fruits that is rough and tasteless [5]. Mulching is a cultural practice applied to the soil surface to benefit the soil and the plant.…”

“…This is because the root zone with appropriate temperature and humidity values from the mulch surface back to the leaves is due to reflected light. Thanks to PE mulching applications, it is possible to provide better weed control, desired soil moisture and temperature, higher yield, and profit growth [5][6]. [7] reported that the yield and growth of vegetables affect the irrigation method and the choice of different types of mulch.…”