The aim of this research was to determine differences in physical and chemical composition of strawberry fruits cv. Elsanta, grown in three different cultivation systems, open field, high tunnel and soilless culture. Experiment was conducted in Zagreb area. Fruits were harvested at the same time in all three cultivation systems, after which physical and chemical parameters were determined. Obtained data showed that fruits grown in open field had the lowest fruit mass (17.0 g) compared to the ones grown in high tunnel (20.0 g) and soilless (21.0 g), however fruits grown in field had the highest fruit firmness (0.76 kg cm-2). Values obtained by color analysis for light (L) ranged from 37.52 for fruits in soilless cultivation to 41.94 for fruits grown in open field. Intensity (C) ranged from 24.71 in soilless to 31.65 in open field and values obtained for angle of coloring (H) ranged from 47.44 in high tunnel to 54.77 in soilless culture. Values obtained for 0Brix ranged from 6.23 in soilless to 7.25 in high tunnel cultivation system. Total acidity (TA) was 7.35 g L-1 in soilless cultivation, while it was somewhat higher in fruits grown on open fi eld (7.39 g L-1) and in high tunnel (7.64g L-1). Ratio 0Brix/TA was aligned in fruits cultivated in soilless culture and open field (0.85), while it was somewhat higher in the ones grown in high tunnel (0.95). Quantity of ascorbic acid (AA) ranged from 58.32 mg/100g in soilless culture to 68.58 mg/100 g in high tunnel. Values of pH ranged from 3.70 on open field to 3.91 in soilless culture. Physical and chemical analysis showed alignment in fruit quality cultivated in three different systems; however fruits grown in high tunnel showed slightly better properties.

Fragaria x ananassa Duch; high tunnel; soilless culture; field; physical-chemical composition

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia