Different irrigation and fertilization levels and mulching materials on the yield and quality of strawberry

ABSTRACT The strawberry (Fragaria spp.), one of the most important berry fruit, is cultivated in many regions of Turkey. Considering its agricultural importance, the objective of this study was to determine the interactions of three important factors affecting the yield of strawberries. Measurements of the physical and quality properties of strawberry were carried out in the laboratories of Bursa Uludağ University. In the research, four different irrigation topics, three different fertigation and three different mulching topics (without mulch (M0), with PE black mulch material (M1), with PE transparent mulch matterial (M2) were selected. Drip irrigation method was preferred in order to apply water amounts at different irrigation and fertigation levels. In our study, the highest and lowest irrigation water amounts in both trial years were found to be 380-95 mm and 420-105 mm, respectively, while the highest and lowest actual evapotranspiration values were calculated as 440-220 mm and 465-280 mm, respectively. The maximum and minimum yield values of the study years were calculated as 5.05-18.70 t ha-1 and 1.20-8.7 t ha-1, respectively, from I100F100M1 and I25F50M0 treatments. However, when the reductions in yield and quality losses are evaluated together, despite the reductions in irrigation water and fertigation levels, I75 and F75 topics can be recommended. Also, in mulching treatments, black mulch material (M1) should be chosen over clear mulch material (M1) and no mulch (M0).