SELECTION OF A SUBSTRATE FOR STRAWBERRY GROWTH IN HYDROPONICS

Abstract

In the Michoacán State of México, strawberry (Fragaria x ananasa Duch.) is the second most profitable crop after blackberry. (Rubís leibmannii Focke) In the last decade, new technologies (plastic mulching, fertigation, etc.) have been introduced to the production systems, in order to increase fruit quality and yield, however which have not been studied extensively in the hydroponics system that requires an adequate substrate or growth medium. In this work we evaluated the effect of five substrates on the growth of two strawberry genotypes (‘Chandler’ and ‘Oso grande’), in an experiment carried out under greenhouse hydroponics conditions. The results showed that substrates influenced dry and fresh weight of roots, shoot and leaves as well as plant height and leaf area. A negative effect on plant growth was observed when the substrate increased the proportion on coconut fiber. The highest values for all variables were obtained with the mixture G3C1 (75 % gravel, 25 % coconut, v/v). Which is then recommended for strawberry plants growing in a hidroponics system.