The Application of Nitrogen Fertilization and Foliar Spraying with Calcium and Boron Affects Growth Aspects, Chemical Composition, Productivity and Fruit Quality of Strawberry Plants

Abstract

Strawberries are rich in antioxidants and plant components to enhance cardiac health and regulate blood sugar. This experiment investigates the effects of N fertilization and foliar spraying with calcium (Ca) and boron (B) on growth, chemical composition of plant foliage, fruit yield, and quality of strawberry plants (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. cv. Fortuna). This experiment includes 12 treatments from the combination between four N fertilizers treatments (combinations of mineral and organic fertilizers) and three foliar spraying treatments with Ca+B at 2 and 4 mL/L in addition to the control treatment (spraying with tap water). Results show that the treatment where 50% of the recommended dose of N (50% RDN) was applied with mineral fertilizer + 100% organic N was the most effective one since it induced the highest values of plant height, number of crowns per plant, number of leaves per plant, fresh and dry weight per plant, especially when combined with the foliar application of Ca+B at the highest tested rate (4 mL/L). The highest values of N, P, K, Ca, B, and total carbohydrate contents were also scored for the combination of 50% RDN + 100% organic N and the foliar spraying with Ca+B at 4 mL/L in both growing seasons. In addition, the highest values of fruit yield per plant and per hectare, exportable fruit yield/ha, fruit firmness, fruit TSS, Vitamin C, total sugars, and anthocyanin, as well as the lowest values of total acidity were recorded for the combined treatment of 50% RDN + 100% organic and Ca+B at the highest rate (4 mL/L). The highest recorded value of length, diameter, and weight of fruit were scored by fertilizing strawberry plants with the recommended dose of mineral N (100% RDN) and spraying with Ca+B at the highest rate in both growing seasons. In conclusion, it could be suggested that fertilization of strawberry plants with half the recommended dose with mineral N fertilizer + 100% organic fertilizer and foliar spraying with Ca+B at 4 mL/L increases plant growth and improve yield parameters and fruit quality of the strawberry plants.

The Use of Compost Increases Bioactive Compounds and Fruit Yield in Calafate Grown in the Central South of Chile

“…Nevertheless, the results obtained in the compost treatments were superior to the control treatment. This has been corroborated in other species, such as strawberries, where the effect of an organic fertilization based on compost increased the contents of anthocyanins, phenolic contents, and antioxidant capacity, and also in the Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.) crop, where organic fertilization also improved the levels of polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the fruit [48,51]. In a study conducted by Cojocaru et al, no increase in fruit yield was observed as it was observed in this study (Figure 8) and was probably associated with the low doses of compost (2.4 Ton ha −1 ) used in their study [51], which was associated with the high levels of extraction given by the levels of fruit production.…”

“…The former could have happened in this study since the applied levels of nitrogen reached 60 mg kg −1 of soil (Table 2), but they were not strongly affected until the third year from the implementation of the study (Table 3). Interestingly, nitrogen levels in the soil fluctuated between 13 and 16 mg kg −1 in all treatments; this response of low nitrogen availability in the soil could be generated by the high levels of nitrogen that the plant is extracting to satisfy the greater vegetative development [48] (Figure 2) in conjunction with the higher levels of productivity [45] (Figure 8), as those observed in T2 and T3, which were 100% higher in both seasons for the treatments of 10 and 15 ton ha −1 of compost, compared to the control treatment. The treatments that obtained the best productive results, both at the beginning and at the end of the study, were the treatments with the highest doses of compost, corresponding to 10 and 15 tons ha −1 and with productivity levels close to 1000 g per plant (Figure 8), coinciding with the results of other authors [45,48,49].…”

“…Interestingly, nitrogen levels in the soil fluctuated between 13 and 16 mg kg −1 in all treatments; this response of low nitrogen availability in the soil could be generated by the high levels of nitrogen that the plant is extracting to satisfy the greater vegetative development [48] (Figure 2) in conjunction with the higher levels of productivity [45] (Figure 8), as those observed in T2 and T3, which were 100% higher in both seasons for the treatments of 10 and 15 ton ha −1 of compost, compared to the control treatment. The treatments that obtained the best productive results, both at the beginning and at the end of the study, were the treatments with the highest doses of compost, corresponding to 10 and 15 tons ha −1 and with productivity levels close to 1000 g per plant (Figure 8), coinciding with the results of other authors [45,48,49]. These results suggest that the long-term application of compost to the soil, in addition to improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil, as indicated above, could improve its biological activity.…”

Influence of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer Regimes on Growth Patterns and Antioxidants Capacity of Strawberry (Fragaria × Ananassa Duch.) cv. Chandler

“…is nutrient supply could be provided through different fertilization strategies, methods, and technologies [9,10]. Strawberries have a large harvest window with intensive nutrient uptake, which results in depletion of soil fertility [11]. Availability of nitrogen is the most important factor for its production and fruit quality [12].…”

Fertilization Affects Growth Aspects, Chemical Composition and Productivity of Wheat Crop

“…As a result of the active microorganism, biological activity in particular and organic acid produced, these finding was expected (Shaban & Omar, 2006). Also, the use of bio-fertilizers on Egyptian soils has decreased the pH, which results in increasing the trace elements availability, enhancing plant growth (Mohamed et al, 2021).…”