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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #122857
Title: COMPOSTS AS SOIL SUPPLEMENT ENHANCED PLANT GROWTH AND FRUIT QUALITY OF STRAWBERRY

Author
item Wang, Shiow
item LIN, SHIN-SHAN - MIAOLI AGRL IMPVT STATION

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/19/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Compost has been utilized in agriculture as a significant source of organic matter. Effects of compost on crop production can vary according to the feedstock, compost production methods, storage, and use rates and methods. Little information is available on the effect of composts as soil amendments on the growth and fruit composition of strawberry. We found the combination of 50 percent soil plus 50 percent compost produced the greatest plant dry mass, fruit production, and fruit size compared to the plants grown without compost in the two strawberry cultivars (Allstar and Honeoye). Compost also significantly enhanced leaf chlorophyll content. Strawberry fruit grown with compost had significantly higher levels of nitrogen and potassium and lower levels of manganese, iron, molybdenum, and nickel compared to the fruit grown without compost. With regards to heavy metals, addition of compost in the soil mix did not change zinc and cadmium levels in fruit. Use of compost significantly increased levels of organic acids (malic and citric acid), sugars (fructose, glucose, and total sugars), soluble solids and titratable acids. The results indicate that the use of compost can reduce the amount of fertilizer required for optimum strawberry plant growth and has potential to benefit growers and the strawberry industry.

Technical Abstract: Compost significantly enhanced strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) plant growth and fruit quality when used as a soil supplement. Adding half strength of Peter nutrient solution (50 percent fertilizer) to a mixture of 50 percent soil plus 50 percent compost was very effective in significantly increasing plant dry weight to approximately double that of controls (without compost), fruit yield by more than 70 percent, and fruit size by 15 percent compared to controls in the two strawberry cultivars (Allstar and Honeoye). Compost and fertilizer also significantly enhanced leaf chlorophyll content. Nitrate reductase activity significantly increased in leaves and roots with the greatest increases when using 50 percent soil plus 50 percent compost. Strawberry plants grown with compost had significantly higher levels of N and K but lower levels of Mn, Fe, Mo, and Ni in fruit of both cultivars. Adding compost to the soil mix did not change Zn and Cd levels. Use of compost also significantly increased levels of organic acids (malic and citric acid), sugars (fructose, glucose, and total sugars), soluble solids content, and titratable acids content in fruit of both cultivars. The results indicate that the use of compost can reduce the amount of fertilizer required for optimum strawberry plant growth.