Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during the two successive winter seasons of 2017/18 and 2018/19. The aims of the experiment were to investigate the effect of using three different mulch treatments (black polyethylene, clear polyethylene, and bare soil) on strawberry ‘Florida’ and ‘Winterstar’ cultivars (Fragaria X ananassa Duch) regarding the fruit yield, yield attributes, and some fruit quality characteristics (vitamin C, anthocyanin, acidity, TSS, and TSS: acidity), along with the financial aspects of using polyethylene mulching for strawberry productivity. Compared to the un-mulched plants, the total fruit yield of ‘Florida’ and ‘Winterstar’ plants was increased by ~40-49% and 17-18%, respectively in the black plastic mulching in the two years. Clear plastic mulching was accompanied by an increased total yield of ‘Florida’ by 19-34%, while decreased ‘Winterstar’ fruit yield by 14-24%. Regarding vitamin C content, the main effects of mulching treatment showed that plants grown in black plastic mulching had significantly higher vitamin C content than clear plastic (both seasons) or no mulching (second season). ‘Florida’ plants in the black plastic mulching achieved significantly the highest vitamin C levels compared to the other treatments. Similarly, ‘Florida’ plants in the black plastic mulching had higher TSS content than the other mulching treatments. Depending on the cultivar used and the growing season, plastic mulching (whether clear or black) was beneficial in improving the fruits anthocyanin content compared to the un-mulched plants. In conclusion, plastic mulching (especially the black) was helpful in improving fruits contents of vitamin C and anthocyanin compared to the un-mulched plants. Regarding the financial aspect, using black plastic mulching for strawberry production in Assiut governorate was more profitable than the un-mulched farm.

Keywords: Black Plastic Mulching, Clear Plastic Mulching, Vitamin C, Anthocyanin, TSS, Financial Aspect.