CALIDAD DE FRESA VARIEDAD SAN ANDREAS PRODUCIDA CON VERMICOMPOST EN INVERNADERO

Abstract

An alternative to reduce the impact of agricultural activities is the use of vermicompost. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vermicompost as liquid fertilizer and as a substrate on the quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) var. San Andreas, under greenhouse conditions. Two substrates were evaluated: soil and a mixture of soil and vermicompost. Four treatments were applied liquid fertilizer: 1) Nutrient solution (F), 2) Water (A), 3) Mixture of liquid nutrient solution and vermicompost (F + HL), 4) Liquid vermicompost (VL). The results showed that vermicompost as substrate, had no effect on the measured quality parameters. However, liquid vermicompost favored fruit quality. It was noted that the F + VL treatment showed a tendency to produce more fruit. Regarding average fruit weight belonging to class A (equatorial diameter ≥ 3.2 cm), the VL treatment promoted a significant increase of this parameter, compared to the treatments F, A and F + VL (7%, 8% and 9% respectively). Besides, the treatments F + VL and VL showed significant yield increases, when compared to the F treatment (18% and 44%, respectively). On the other hand, the VL treatment favored size of fruits belonging to class A by increasing polar diameter, when compared to fruits in the treatments F, A, F+VL (6%, 4% and 8% respectively). Therefore, liquid vermicompost is a viable alternative for strawberry production, since it positively impacts fruit quality and provides other known benefits (e.g. soil enrichment and low cost).