Abstract

There is increasing concern about human health and environmental contamination risks associated with the extensive use of mineral fertilizer in vegetables production. Compost and growth stimulate agents could be a suitable alternative to mineral fertilizer. The effect of soil addition of compost and foliar fertilizers with humic and/or amino acids on growth and yield of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) cv. festival plants was investigated. Compost fertilization of soil at a rate of 8 ton/fed, foliar application of humic acid at a rate of 1 g l^-1, foliar fertilization of amino acids at a rate of 2 ml l^-1 and their combinations were used. The results from this study showed that plants of strawberries grown from compost fertilized plots exhibited generally higher plant length and fruit weight. Total yield was significantly increased by all treatments compared to mineral fertilizer. Moreover, the compost fertilizer also produced fruits with higher level of total soluble solid and anthocyanin content. Limited effects on growth were observed by foliar fertilizer with either humic acid or amino acids.  

Key words: Strawberry, organic fertilizer, chemical parameters, quality.