Morpho-horticultural potential of seven strawberry cultivars for two consecutive cycles

Abstract

Maintaining plants for two consecutive cycles in strawberry cultivation makes it possible to reduce costs with the acquisition of daughter plants and allows fruit production throughout the year. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate whether strawberry cultivars grown for two consecutive cycles in a greenhouse change their horticultural potential. The research was carried out in the municipality of Passo Fundo, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We tested seven strawberry cultivars (classified as short days and neutral days in terms of flowering) in two production cycles. The cultivars morphology was characterized, and the fruit production and quality were evaluated. The morphological descriptor that most contributed to the divergence among cultivars corresponded to anthocyanin coloration of stipules. ‘Aromas’ stood out for the greater amount of fruit produced in both production cycles. In the first cycle ‘Albion’, ‘Camino Real’, and ‘Monterey’ produced fruits with the highest average fresh masses. Phenolic compounds of the fruits were superior in the second cycle of cultivation in relation to the first cycle. The total flavonoid content was higher in ‘Aromas’, ‘Camarosa’, ‘Camino Real’, and ‘Monterey’. ‘Camarosa’ and ‘San Andreas’ had the highest concentration of total polyphenols. The total antioxidant capacity was higher in ‘Aromas’ and ‘Camarosa’. It is concluded that strawberry cultivars conducted for two consecutive cycles in a greenhouse show variations in their horticultural potential. Producers who want to stagger their crops should choose ‘Aromas’ to obtain greater productive potential (in both cycles) and ‘Camarosa’ to meet the demanding consumer market in fruit quality.