Irrigation Regimes and Bio-stimulant Application Effects on Fruit Quality Features at ‘Rubygem‘ Strawberry Variety

Abstract

The effect of irrigation and bio-stimulant (ComCat) applications on fruit quality parameters at the ‘Rubygem‘ strawberry variety was investigated. The amounts of irrigation water applied were 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 times of water surface evaporation measured Class A pan placed over the crop canopy and the corresponding regimes were denoted as IR50, IR75, IR100 and IR125. Furthermore, bio-stimulant is applied four times with three weeks interval, approximately two months after planting. Applications of bio-stimulant were not efficient on examined parameters. Decreasing of the irrigation levels were significantly increased TSS and sugar/acid ratio which affects the fruit taste. The highest TSS and sugar/acid ratio was determined at IR50 plot with 9.42% and 21.7 values, respectively. However, fruit weight was significantly decreased except of IR100 plot. Moreover, deficient irrigation (IR50 and IR75) may cause a decrease at fruit weight. Recently, it could be crucial strategy to improve sugar and sugar/acid ratio which were prominent for consumers on the eating quality. Also, improving fruit taste with bio-stimulant application at optimum irrigation level (IR100) without any decreasing of fruit weight was determined.