Salinity, Supplementary Calcium and Potassium Effects on Fruit Yield

Abstract: Fruit set and quality in strawberry cv. Selva were influenced by salinity (NaCl) and supplementary calcium and potassium (CaSO, CaCl, K SO) treatments applied to the root medium of plants growing in4 2 2 4 soilless culture under heated greenhouse conditions. Yield components such as primary fruit weight and fresh fruit weight (at harvest time) and fruit number were higher in control and there was no significant differences between control and NaCl (35 mM)+CaSO (10 mM). Primary fruit weight and fresh fruit weight (at harvest time)4 were decreased by salinity, even by CaSO or CaCl or K SO. Total acidity was higher in NaCl+CaCl (5 mM)4 2 2 4 2 treatment compared to others. Total soluble solid and vitamin C were higher in NaCl+CaSO (10 mM) treatment4 compared to other treatments. TSS/TA ratio was higher in NaCl+K SO (10 mM) treatment compared to others.2 4 Our results suggest that in saline conditions, CaSO application cause increase in fruit yield and quality of4 strawberry. Key words: Strawberry salinity fruit yield fruit quality calcium and potassium INTRODUCTION some beneficial effects on fruit quality [4].This has been Depressive effect of salinity on growth can be a e.g. tomato [5], cucumber [6] and sweet peppers [7]. In useful management tool to regulate crop productivity and most cases the absolute content of sugars and acids per fruit quality. It has long been recognized that vegetative fruit was lower at higher salinity level. Production an