COMPARISON OF HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS IN THE STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION
In Mexico strawberry is produced with high-technology, but there is little research on the productivity of strawberry under hydroponic systems. The present study was conducted to compare four hydroponic systems for the strawberry production (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.): 1) single plastic bags, 2) vertical three-levels (pipes), 3) vertical four-levels (pipes) and 4) vertical with hydroponic pots. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse tunnel type Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo, State of Mexico. The objective was to assess what type of system the strawberry plants develop better and reach higher yield and quality. To conduct the experiment treatments were nested in an experimental design of blocks completely at random with three replications. The upper levels of the systems were the most active in photosynthetic irradiance (W/m2), leaf and substrate temperature and highest percentage of °Brix. In yield, the vertical with hydroponic pots system surpassed other systems, because it had the largest number of plants per unit area. The vertical with four pipes system recorded the highest percentage of fruits of the category corresponding to the large fruit and the vertical with three pipes was the system which had the highest percentage of fruit of low quality.
Ramírez-Gómez, H., Sandoval-Villa, M., Carrillo-Salazar , A. and Muratalla-Lúa, A. (2012). COMPARISON OF HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS IN THE STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION. Acta Hortic. 947, 165-172
Fragaria × ananassa Duch., irradiance, temperature of the leaf and substrate, SPAD readings, °Brix