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McKean, Thomas M.S. Thesis .pdf (1.32 MB)

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Effects of Soilless Substrate Systems and Environmental Conditions on Yield, Total Soluble Solids, and Titratable Acidity of Greenhouse Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)

McKean, Thomas
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1566167238648805

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Horticulture and Crop Science.
The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) industry in the United States is dominated by open-field production, and California accounts for the majority of the crop. Demand for a year-round supply of high-quality strawberries is increasing in the U.S., and the current supply chain involves long transportation distances between the field and consumer which can reduce quality. Soilless substrate-based greenhouse production systems can extend the season and range of strawberry production by growing in a controlled environment. Greenhouses require high capital input, and fruit yield and quality (taste) need to be maximized so that greenhouse strawberry production operations are sustainable. Microclimate conditions in the greenhouse need to be further optimized to increase grower profit, and in this study, I evaluated how soilless substrate systems and aerial environmental conditions affected the yield and fruit quality of greenhouse strawberry. Specifically, the effects of four different substrate systems (two commercial and two laboratory standard) on `Albion’ plant vigor, fruit yield, and fruit quality were tested. The four substrate systems represented various combinations of physical components, containers, and microbial additives (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (BP)). The two commercial systems (Com1 and Com2) had 26-31% greater cumulative fruit yield per plant than our standard laboratory system. Per plant yield in the standard laboratory system with AMF (StMix-M) was not significantly different than any other system. These findings suggest that physical, chemical, and biological properties must be integrated to maximize soilless strawberry yield. Fruit quality differences between the different substrate systems were minimal. However, fruit quality was noticeable higher in Ohio than `Albion’ fruit grown in previous production experiments conducted in Tucson, Arizona. As the production systems and management were similar, differences in the greenhouse environment were hypothesized to cause the changes in quality. Total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA) were not significantly different between the two locations; however, Ohio TSS:TA ratio was significantly higher giving evidence for the perceived increase in fruit quality. Regression analyses were applied between Arizona TSS, TA, and TSS:TA ratio values and six environmental variables (24-hour average temperature (°C), average day temperature (°C), average night temperature (°C), maximum PPFD (µmol m-2 s-1), DLI (mol m-2 d-1), and 24-hour average VPD (kPa)). Significant positive correlations between TA and average 24-hour temperature, nighttime temperature, and daytime temperature during the fruit development period (30 days prior to harvest) (FDP) were found. Ohio FDP nighttime temperature was significantly lower than in Arizona. Therefore, we believe lower nighttime temperatures in Ohio reduced fruit TA which drove the significant increase in TSS:TA ratio. If 24-hour average temperature is maintained in an optimal range (i.e., 18 °C), nighttime temperature reduction could prove to be a reliable method to increase strawberry fruit quality.
Chieri Kubota (Advisor)
Joe Scheerens (Committee Member)
James Altland (Committee Member)
164 p.
Horticulture
Strawberry; Controlled Environment Agriculture; Greenhouse; Soilless Substrate; Total Soluble Solids; Titratable Acidity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • McKean, T. (2019). Effects of Soilless Substrate Systems and Environmental Conditions on Yield, Total Soluble Solids, and Titratable Acidity of Greenhouse Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1566167238648805

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • McKean, Thomas. Effects of Soilless Substrate Systems and Environmental Conditions on Yield, Total Soluble Solids, and Titratable Acidity of Greenhouse Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) . 2019. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1566167238648805.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • McKean, Thomas. "Effects of Soilless Substrate Systems and Environmental Conditions on Yield, Total Soluble Solids, and Titratable Acidity of Greenhouse Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1566167238648805

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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