Effect of Chelated Organic Minerals Liquid Fertilizer on Growth and Fruit Quality in ‘Jukhyang’ Strawberry

Abstract

TThis study investigated the influence of AGH-Ringer (chelated organic minerals liquid fertilizer) on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of ‘Jukhyang’ strawberry in a hydroponic system. The results revealed that AGH-Ringer group led to significantly higher plant length than that of the control group, and that leaf length and leaf width increased with increasing leaf area. In addition, the fresh and dry weights of leaves and SPAD unit, which measures leaf color also showed a significant increase with AGH-Ringer. However, the length and dry weight of roots did not show significant differences when compared to the control group. In the fruit quality analysis, AGH-Ringer group did not show any difference in fruit length compared to the control group, but it increased both the fruit weight, which, along with the simultaneous increase in fruit width, increased the yield per strawberry. Furthermore, AGH-Ringer group strengthened the red skin color of the fruit, and resulted in significantly greater hardness than that of the control group, but did not have any effect on the soluble solid content and acidity. As shown in the results, the AGH-Ringer group resulted in lesser mineral content and lower to medium EC (electrical conductivity) in comparison to the inorganic mineral hydroponic fertilizer, which was used as a control. However, it increased the leaf growth, fruit weight, and yield, and improved the fruit quality by increasing the soluble solid content in the hydroponic system of ‘Jukhyang’ strawberry. Therefore, based on this study, AGH-Ringer is thought to be a more effective hydroponic fertilizer than the inorganic mineral hydroponic fertilizer. Moreover, the field experiment demonstrated