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Comparison of Hydroponic Systems in the Strawberry Production

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In Mexico strawberry is produced with high-technology, but there is little research on the productivity of strawberry under hydroponic systems. The present study was conducted to compare four hydroponic systems for the strawberry production (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.): 1) single plastic bags, 2) vertical threelevels (pipes), 3) vertical four-levels (pipes) and 4) vertical with hydroponic pots. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse tunnel type Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo, State of Mexico. The objective was to assess what type of system the strawberry plants develop better and reach higher yield and quality. To conduct the experiment treatments were nested in an experimental design of blocks completely at random with three replications. The upper levels of the systems were the most active in photosynthetic irradiance (W/m2), leaf and substrate temperature and highest percentage of Brix. In yield, the vertical with hydroponic pots system surpassed other systems, because it had the largest number of plants per unit area. The vertical with four pipes system recorded the highest percentage of fruits of the category corresponding to the large fruit and the vertical with three pipes was the system which had the highest percentage of fruit of low quality.
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165
Comparison of Hydroponic Systems in the Strawberry Production
H. Ramírez-Gómeza, M. Sandoval-Villa, A. Carrillo-Salazar and A. Muratalla-Lúa
Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo
Carretera México-Texcoco km 36.5, Montecillo, Texcoco 56230, State of Mexico
Mexico
Keywords: Fragaria × ananassa Duch., irradiance, temperature of the leaf and substrate,
SPAD readings, °Brix
Abstract
In Mexico strawberry is produced with high-technology, but there is little
research on the productivity of strawberry under hydroponic systems. The present
study was conducted to compare four hydroponic systems for the strawberry
production (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.): 1) single plastic bags, 2) vertical three-
levels (pipes), 3) vertical four-levels (pipes) and 4) vertical with hydroponic pots. The
experiment was carried out in a greenhouse tunnel type Colegio de Postgraduados,
Montecillo, State of Mexico. The objective was to assess what type of system the
strawberry plants develop better and reach higher yield and quality. To conduct the
experiment treatments were nested in an experimental design of blocks completely
at random with three replications. The upper levels of the systems were the most
active in photosynthetic irradiance (W/m2), leaf and substrate temperature and
highest percentage of °Brix. In yield, the vertical with hydroponic pots system
surpassed other systems, because it had the largest number of plants per unit area.
The vertical with four pipes system recorded the highest percentage of fruits of the
category corresponding to the large fruit and the vertical with three pipes was the
system which had the highest percentage of fruit of low quality.
INTRODUCTION
The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is a strategic crop in Michoacan,
Mexico, and this crop generates a great number of jobs and foreign currency (Vázquez et
al., 2008). In the year 2009 Mexico recorded a harvested area of 6,678.20 ha, with a
production of 233,041.30 tons, by which reached an average efficiency of 34.9 t/ha
(SAGARPA, 2009). Higher economic, productive and higher quality fruits cultivars are
required in Mexico (Barrera and Sánchez, 2003).
Strawberry production is practiced currently in Mexico with high technology;
however, little has been explored regarding commercial hydroponics production systems
of high density (López et al., 2005). The vertical hydroponics system for crops of high
commercial value is practiced in USA, Japan, Australia and Italy (Al-Raisy et al., 2010),
as this contributes to a better use of energy and to a more efficient use of the spaces of the
greenhouses which results in higher yields per unit area (Paraskevopoulou et al., 1995).
Strawberry plants grown in such conditions reduces the water consumption, requires less
herbicides, the fruit obtained are cleaner and bigger; the yields are higher and it is
possible to gain earliness and improve the fruit quality (Yuan and Sun, 2004).
In Michoacan, Mexico, the strawberry is a crop that requires considerable labor
because of the delicacy of its processes (CONAFRESA, 2007). Farmers face significant
challenges, since consumers demand higher quality and it is necessary to comply with the
standards of quality, health and safety. So, it is necessary to find alternatives that allow
the cultivars to be more productive and to obtain higher quality, health and safe fruits.
The objective of this study was to compare four hydroponic systems for the strawberry
production and to determine in what conditions plants develop better, to get higher yield
and better quality.
a ramirez.humberto@colpos.mx
Proc. II IS on Soilless Culture and Hydroponics
Eds.: F.C. Gómez-Merino et al.
Acta Hort. 947, ISHS 2012
166
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse tunnel type located at Colegio de
Postgraduados, Montecillo, State of Mexico. This study was carried out at the beginning
of October 2010 until March 2011. A short photoperiod strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa
Duch.) ‘Camino Real’ was used. To provide the nutrient solution a drip irrigation system
was used. A red volcano scoria (diameter of particles less than 10 mm) was utilized as
substrate to support the plants. The universal Steiner’s nutrient solution (1984) at 50% of
its original concentration was used. The pH was adjusted weekly from 5.8 to 6.0 using
H2SO4. Four hydroponic strawberry production systems were assessed: individual bags
(BI), vertical with three PVC pipes of 6” diameter (V3P), vertical with four pipes (V4P),
and vertical with hydroponic pots (VHP) with 42, 90, 120 and 180 plants, respectively.
The treatments were accommodated in an experimental design of randomized blocks with
three replications. Leaf greenness index (or SPAD readings) was determined using a
SPAD-502. The first reading was held on 15 December 2010 and two more took place
later 30 and 60 days after the first. At each level of the column system, a plant was
randomly selected, and then a recently matured leaf was chosen and three readings per
treatment were taken. The photosynthetic incident irradiance (W/m) reached at the levels
of the systems, as well as on the outside of the greenhouse, was registered with a linear
radiometer LI-191SE (LI-COR). Leaf (Th) and substrate temperature (Ts), were recorded
with a telethermometer (ThermaTwin TN408LC) at each level of the systems. During the
nine cuts made in the harvest time, cumulative yield (g/plant) was quantified with an
analytical scale. The obtained results were classified by size whereas the equatorial
diameter (top of the fruit measured horizontally): >3.2, 2.6-3.1, 2.0-2.5 and 1.6-1.9 cm
corresponds to A, B, C and D sizes, respectively. Also, the fruit were classified by quality
grades (1st, 2nd and 3rd) according to the norm NMX-FF-062-SCFI-2002 for strawberry.
The °Brix was estimated with a portable ATAGON-1E refract_meter by squeezing a part
of the fruit. Juice drops were placed in the refract_meter for reading. The evaluated
variables were subjected to statistical analysis by an analysis of variance and comparison
of means (Tukey, P0. 05) with the Statistical Analysis System program (SAS, Institute,
2002; Cary, NC, USA).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Incident Photosynthetic Irradiance, SPAD Readings and Leaf and Substrate
Temperature
The photosynthetic incident irradiance (PII) was significantly affected by the
treatments (Table 1). Inside the greenhouse the highest levels of the systems registered
the highest values of PII (Tukey, P0.05) (Table 2). The shade effect decreased the values
in all levels of the systems. According to the analysis of variance and the comparison of
means test (Tukey, P0.05) the leaves and substrate temperature (Table 1) showed
significant differences. The V3P system recorded the highest leaf temperature with
18.93°C (Table 2), followed by VM3 and V44 18.81 and 18.47°C, respectively. It was
observed that as the height of the level increased, plant leaf temperature was higher in all
systems. Also, the media temperature followed the same trend. V33 system again
recorded the highest temperature (19.52°C), higher than the leaf temperature. SPAD
readings were not affected by treatments or levels in any of the sampling: 75, 105 and 135
days after transplant (dat) (Table 1). In the first reading, plants were at the flowering
stage, and in the two subsequent readings, plants were in the fruiting stage.
Cumulative Yield
All the high density hydroponic systems evaluated were statistically different in
comparison to the individual bags (IB) system in cumulated yield (Tukey, P0.05)
(Table 3). Vertical hydroponic pot treatment (VMH) surpassed the other systems (Fig. 2)
with 4 595.30 g. The V4T system was the second that showed acceptable yield
(3,961.40 g) followed by the V3T system (2,755.30 g), while the IB system showed
167
minimal yield of all (856.00 g).
°Brix
°Brix of the harvested fruits was higher (Tukey, P0.05) in the highest levels of
each hydroponic system (Table 3). The comparison of means test (Tukey, P0.05) formed
eight groups. V42, V43, and V44 systems were the highest with an average of 9.73, 9.85
and 9.94% of °Brix (Fig. 3). The V33 system reached the second position with an average
of 10.63% and the VMH5 system was the best of all, since the submission of the highest
value of °Brix with an average of 10.85%. Wang and Camp (2000) mentioned that the
content of soluble sugars is affected by the maturation state, genotype, the geographical
origin and the growth temperature. All levels of systems exceed the index of quality of
°Brix according to Mitcham et al. (2002) with a minimum soluble solids content of
7°Brix.
Size
With regard to the fruits size (significant Tukey, P0.05) difference was only
found in categories A and D for the levels of hydroponic systems (Table 3). The
comparison of means test formed four statistical groups in the A category (Table 4). The
VMH3 system was placed in the second position with 48.70% of fruits of category A,
about half of the harvested fruits of this system presented fruits of large size. The system
V41 recorded 57.49% of fruits of the A category corresponding to the large fruit (>3.2 cm
in diameter), beating everyone. About 60% of the harvested fruits were of this category.
The comparison of means test (Tukey, P0.05) formed three groups within the category
D (1.6-1.9 cm in diameter). The V33 system recorded the 24.05% of fruits in this
category, and it was the only in the group A that had the highest percentage of small
fruits. The top systems level recorded the highest percentage of fruits of the category D.
Quality Grades
There were found significant differences in the first and third class in the
percentage of the fruits quality (Table 3). The V41 system was the best of all within the
group a with 51.79% of corresponding to the first fruit quality (Table 5). In the 3rd quality
corresponding to fruits of low quality (defects in fruit such as scrapes, sunburn, bruises
and that should not exceed 10% of the total surface of the fruit) there were significant
differences (Tukey, P0.05). The V33 system got the highest percentage of fruits of low
quality: 51.90%. The upper levels of the systems were those that recorded the highest
percentage of 3rd quality fruits, this because of the pest Tetranychus urticae Koch.
Klamkowski et al. (2007) mentioned that this species when feeding on the sap of the plant
reduces its vigor, quality and yield.
CONCLUSIONS
A greater number of strawberry plants per unit area increased yield. These results
were similar to results reported by Pérez et al. (2005) who showed that the yield per unit
of area was reached with the highest densities.
As the height, in a system, increases; photosynthetic incident irradiance, and
temperature of leaves and substrate increases.
Levels of the vertical system with four pipes reached a higher percentage of fruits
of category A, as well as levels of quality (first) and it was the second system which
showed higher yield per unit area.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Our gratitude to Colegio de Postgraduados for funding this research.
Literature Cited
Al-Raysi, F.S., Al-Said, F.A., Al-Rawahi, M.S., Khan, I.A., Al-Makhamari, S.M. and
Khan, M.M. 2010. Effects of column sizes and media on yield and fruit quality of
168
strawberry under hydroponic vertical system. European J. Sci. Res. 43:48-60.
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agroalimentaria/agroindustrial nacional, identificación de sus demandas tecnológicas:
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de Camacaro, M.P., Carew, J. and Battey, N. 2005. Efecto de la densidad de plantación
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Consejo Nacional de la Fresa. 2011. www.conafresa.com.
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two-spotted spider mite. J. Fruit Ornam. Plant Res. 15:155-162.
López, P.L., Cárdenas, N.R., Lobit, P., Martínez, C.O. and Escalante, L.O. 2005.
Selección de un sustrato para el crecimiento de la fresa en hidroponía. Rev. Fitotec.
Mex. 28:171-174.
NMX-FF-062-SCFI. 2002. Norma mexicana para productos alimenticios no
industrializados para consumo - humano - fruta fresca - fresa (Fragaria × ananassa.
Dutch) - Especificaciones y Método de Prueba. Secretaría de Economía, México, DF.
Paraskevopoulou, P.G., Grafiadellis, M. and Paresis, E. 1995. Productivity, plant
production and fruit quality of strawberry plants grown in soil and soilless culture.
Acta Hort. 408:109-117.
Secretaria de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación. 2011.
www.sagarpa.gob.mx.
Steiner, A.A. 1984. The universal nutrient solution. Proc. Sixth International Congress on
Soilless Culture. ISOSC. Lunteren, Wageningen, The Netherlands. p.633-649.
Vázquez, G., Cárdenas, R. and Lobit, P. 2008. Efecto del nitrógeno sobre el crecimiento y
rendimiento de fresa regada por goteo y gravedad. Agric. Tec. Mex. 2:235-241.
Wang, S. and Camp, M. 2000. Temperatures after bloom affect plant growth and fruit
quality of strawberry. J. Hort. Sci. 85:183-199.
Wang, S. and Lin, H.S. 2000. Antioxidant activity in fruits and leaves of blackberry,
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48:140-146.
Yuan, B.Z. and Sun, S.N. 2004. Effect of drip irrigation on strawberry growth and yield
inside a plastic greenhouse. Biosyst. Engin. 87:237-245.
Tables
Table 1. Statistical significance (Pr > F) hydroponic systems on photosynthetic incident
irradiance, leaves and media temperature and SPAD readings.
SV DF PII Temperature SPAD readings
Leaf Substrate 75 dat 105 dat 135 dat
B 2 0.0875 0.9484 0.8178 0.5435 0.3803 0.3471
Trt 3 <.0001 <.0001 <.0001 0.9381 0.0757 0.9969
E 6
T 11
SV: Sources of variation; DF: degrees of freedom; B: blocks; Trt: treatments; E: error; T: total.
PII: photosynthetic incident irradiance.
dat: days after transplant.
169
Table 2. Grouping of means by the Tukey method (P0. 05) of the leaves and media
temperature and photosynthetic incident irradiance (PII) of hydroponic systems for
strawberry production.
LIHS Th (°C) Ts (°C) PII (W/m)
V33 18.93 a 19.52 a 128.67 b
VM3 18.81 ab 18.85 ab 117.77 b
V44 18.47 ab 17.03 abc 117.00 b
V32 16.41 abc 15.88 abc 75.47 c
BI 16.07 abc 15.85 abc 117.10 b
V43 15.58 abcd 15.80 abc 80.40 c
V42 15.48 abcd 14.82 bcd 70.23 c
VM2 14.86 bcd 14.27 cd 80.40 c
V31 14.42 cd 12.97 cd 71.67 c
V41 13.73 cd 12.80 cd 68.03 c
VM1 12.07 d 10.88 d 70.07 c
Exterior 282.67 a
Means with different letters are statistically different (Tukey, P0.05).
LIHS: level inside the hydroponic systems; Th: leaf temperature; Ts: substrate temperature.
Table 3. Statistical significance (Pr>F) of hydroponic systems on the cumulative yield,
quality and size of strawberry fruits.
SV DF CY °Brix Quality grades Size
1s
t
2
n
d
3
r
d
A B C D
B 2 0.2543 0.0286 0.8943 0.0737 0.0687 0.0086 0.1147 0.0161 0.2480
Trt 3 <0.0004 <.0001 0.0095 0.4158 0.0092 0.0026 0.0349 0.0765 0.0043
E 6
T 11
SV: Sources of variation; df: degrees of freedom; B: blocks; Trt: treatments; E: error; T: total.
CY: cumulative yield.
170
Table 4. Grouping of means by the method of Tukey (P 0. 05) of the percentage of the
size of fruit in every level of hydroponic systems for strawberry production.
LIHS
Size
A Tukey
P0.05 B Tukey
P0.05 C Tukey
P0.05 D Tukey
P0.05
BI 30.52 abc 20.55 ns 39.49 ns 9.45 ab
V31 40.08 abc 36.51 ns 20.05 ns 3.35 b
V32 41.41 abc 26.07 ns 23.83 ns 8.68 ab
V33 19.15 bc 24.71 ns 32.09 ns 24.05 a
V41 57.50 a 26.30 ns 15.09 ns 1.11 b
V42 40.76 abc 38.88 ns 15.91 ns 4.44 b
V43 46.15 abc 33.35 ns 16.84 ns 3.66 b
V44 27.89 abc 24.23 ns 37.10 ns 10.78 ab
VMH1 16.83 c 42.70 ns 34.06 ns 6.41 b
VMH2 35.96 abc 29.13 ns 32.72 ns 2.19 b
VMH3 48.70 ab 34.80 ns 13.90 ns 2.60 b
VMH4 25.25 bc 43.31 ns 29.20 ns 2.24 b
VMH5 35.92 abc 33.78 ns 21.61 ns 8.68 ab
Means with different letters are statistically different (Tukey, P0.05).
LIHS: level inside the hydroponic systems; ns: not significant.
Table 5. Grouping of means by the method of Tukey (P0. 05) of the percentage of the
fruit quality in every level of hydroponic systems for strawberry production.
LIHS
Quality
1st Tukey
P0.05 2nd Tukey
P0.05 3rd Tukey
P0.05
BI 37.17 Abc 39.85 Ns 22.97 b
V31 37.72 Abc 37.72 Ns 24.56 ab
V32 37.96 Abc 34.26 Ns 27.78 ab
V33 20.63 C 27.46 Ns 51.90 a
V41 51.79 A 27.21 Ns 21.00 b
V42 40.00 Abc 44.17 Ns 15.83 b
V43 47.70 Ab 31.24 Ns 21.06 b
V44 32.05 Abc 26.93 Ns 41.03 ab
VMH1 26.55 Bc 39.25 Ns 34.20 ab
VMH2 39.83 Abc 40.87 Ns 19.30 b
VMH3 36.21 Abc 35.36 Ns 28.43 ab
VMH4 29.70 abc 41.62 Ns 28.68 ab
VMH5 36.61 abc 33.89 Ns 29.50 ab
Means with different letters are statistically different (Tukey, P0.05).
LIHS: level inside the hydroponic systems
ns: not significant.
171
Figures
Fig. 1. Hydroponic systems. (a) individual bags; (b) vertical with three pipes; (c) vertical
with four pipes; and (d) vertical with hydroponic pots.
Fig. 2. Cumulative yield of hydroponic systems for strawberry production. Means with
different letters are statistically different (Tukey P0. 05). BI: individual bags;
V3T: vertical with three pipes; V4T: vertical with four pipes; VMH: vertical with
hydroponic pots.
c
856.00
b
2 755.30
ab
3 961.40
a
4 595.30
0,00
500,00
1000,00
1500,00
2000,00
2500,00
3000,00
3500,00
4000,00
4500,00
5000,00
BI V3T V4T VMH
Cumulative yield (g/plant)
Hydroponical Systems
172
Fig. 3. °Brix at each level inside of hydroponic systems for strawberry production. Means
with different letters are statistically different (Tukey, P0.05). Abbreviations: BI:
individual bags; V31: vertical with three pipes, level one; V32: vertical with three
levels, two pipes; V33: vertical with three pipes, level three; V41: vertical with
four pipes, level one; V42: vertical with four pipes, level two; V43: vertical with
four pipes, level three; V44: vertical with four pipes, level four; VMH1: vertical
with hydroponic pots, level one; VMH2: vertical with hydroponic pots, level two;
VMH3: vertical with hydroponic pots, level three; VMH4: vertical with
hydroponic pots, level four; VMH5: vertical with hydroponic pots, level five.
VM1, VM2, and VM3 are low, medium and high levels in hydroponic pots,
respectively.
cde
8.92
cde
8.89
bcd
9.49
ab
10.63
de
8.42
abc
9.73
abc
9.85
abc
9.94
e
7.96
cde
8.89
cd
9.34
bcd
9.53
a
10.85
0,00
2,00
4,00
6,00
8,00
10,00
12,00
BI
V31
V32
V33
V41
V42
V43
V44
VMH1
VMH2
VMH3
VMH4
VMH5
°Brix(%)
Level inside the hydroponical system
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In an epoch when our environments are under threat from climate change, resource depletion and pollution, our food systems require urgent transition to sustainable pathways in order to feed 9 billion people by 2050. To do so in such a way that future generations’ social, economic and environmental realities are not compromised, the designers of the innovations and technologies deployed to transform the various socio-technical systems of food production and consumption have a critical role to play. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly disrupting food systems and redefining the practices of entire fields from agriculture, transportation and processing to retail and consumer behaviours. An automated, but not agnostic, analytical and decision-making technology, AI is key to designing more efficient food systems. However, it should be considered one element of designed transition strategies and evaluated within sustainability and ethical frameworks. Consequently this research addresses the question: How might we design with AI for the sustainable and ethical transition of our food systems and practices? The research, conveyed through a series of peer-reviewed and published case studies, focuses on how designers can use AI to transition to sustainable food systems by investigating the use of AI across food systems and its impacts on sustainability outcomes. A systems thinking lens and an action-research approach have been deployed to conduct case studies of different food systems – food rescue, child nutrition in schools, digital agri-food research and farmers’ markets – to explore how AI is applied, the consequences of using it, how designers of transitions work with AI and what sustainable outcomes may plausibly be achieved. Building on design for sustainability theory and practice, the research draws on qualitative primary data from fieldwork, interviews, active AI system design and evaluation, and literature from the field. The research finds that designers of the transition required can use AI to support and scale up sustainable outcomes in food systems by drawing on the ethical and practice frameworks that underpin the field of design for sustainability. Transdisciplinary and participatory design methods integrated through agile iterative learning cycles are shown to support, and extend over time, the designer’s intent for both sustainable transition and the technical development of AI-powered tools. The research extends knowledge in the fields of food system innovation and design for sustainability by developing a method for and demonstrating the use of a bottom-up engagement framework for sustainable and ethical design with AI for sustainable transitions. Further, it presents a prototypical case and method for nuanced approaches to the relationship between AI and design so as to contribute a granular and practice-focused definition of designing with AI based on sustainable and ethical precepts. Finally, the research provides an ontological design reflection on what design with AI means in the context of being “designed by our designing” (Willis, 2006, p. 70) and the moral and ethical consequences of designing with AI and creating futures. It finds that design intent, and particularly the targeting of deep leverage points in systems such as goals, mindsets and paradigms, enables the designer to acquire agency within complex and increasingly automated systems of production, exchange and consumption.
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Effects of the plant density on the vegetative and reproductive growth in strawberry cv. Elsanta The manipulation of plant density is a tool used to optimize the yield in strawberry. However, both the vegetative and reproductive growth are affected by this practice. Furthermore, the effect of plant density depends on the cultivar, agronomic management, and environmental conditions. In this research, the vegetative growth, development and yield of strawberry plants were evaluated under field conditions at different densities of planting in the experimental grounds of The University of Reading, England, located at 51º 30' N and 137 meters above sea level. The experiment was established as a completely randomized block design with four treatments consisting in plant spacing of 10, 15, 20, and 25 cm between plants (100, 44, 25, and 16 plants ·m-1). The effect of plant density on the vegetative variables became more important during the later periods of growth when those variables were higher at the lower plant densities (higher plant spacing in the row). On the other hand, the number of inflorescences did not show clear tendencies by effect of the treatments. The highest density produced the lowest yield per plant but the highest yield per unit area. The highest number of marketable fruit per plant was found in plants growing under low plant densities.
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El cultivo de la fresa (Fragaria x ananasa Duch.) en el estado de Michoacán, México, es el segundo más rentable después de la zarzamora (Rubís leibmannii Focke). En la década anterior se han incorporando nuevas tecnologías (coberturas plásticas, fertirriego, etc.) a los sistemas de producción de fresa, con la finalidad de incrementar la producción; sin embargo, poco se han explorado los sistemas hidropónicos. Los cultivos en hidroponía requieren de sustratos adecuados o medios de crecimiento. En este trabajo se evaluó el efecto de cuatro mezclas de fibra de coco y tezontle y el sustrato comercial vermiculita, sobre el crecimiento de dos genotipos de fresa (`Chadler´ y `Oso grande´), en un experimento en invernadero bajo condiciones hidropónicas. Las diferentes mezclas influyeron en el peso fresco y seco de raíz, corona y peciolo y hojas, así como en altura de la planta y área foliar. Se observó un efecto negativo sobre el crecimiento de las plantas de fresa al incrementar las proporciones de fibra de coco en las mezclas elaboradas. La mezcla G3C1 (75 % tezontle y 25 % fibra de coco, v/v), produjo las mayores respuestas de las variables evaluadas que las demás mezclas y que la vermiculita, por lo que la mezcla G3C1 es recomendable para el crecimiento de plantas de fresa en hidroponía.
Article
Fruits and leaves from different cultivars of thornless blackberry (Rubus sp.), red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.), and strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa D.) plants were analyzed for total antioxidant capacity (oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ORAC) and total phenolic content. In addition, fruits were analyzed for total anthocyanin content. Blackberries and strawberries had the highest ORAC values during the green stages, whereas red raspberries had the highest ORAC activity at the ripe stage. Total anthocyanin content increased with maturity for all three species of fruits. Compared with fruits, leaves were found to have higher ORAC values. In fruits, ORAC values ranged from 7.8 to 33.7 micromol of Trolox equivalents (TE)/g of fresh berries (35. 0-162.1 micromol of TE/g of dry matter), whereas in leaves, ORAC values ranged from 69.7 to 182.2 micromol of TE/g of fresh leaves (205.0-728.8 micromol of TE/g of dry matter). As the leaves become older, the ORAC values and total phenolic contents decreased. The results showed a linear correlation between total phenolic content and ORAC activity for fruits and leaves. For ripe berries, a linear relationship existed between ORAC values and anthocyanin content. Of the ripe fruits tested, on the basis of wet weight of fruit, cv. Jewel black raspberry and blackberries may be the richest source for antioxidants. On the basis of the dry weight of fruit, strawberries had the highest ORAC activity followed by black raspberries (cv. Jewel), blackberries, and red raspberries.
Caracterización de la cadena agroalimentaria/agroindustrial nacional, identificación de sus demandas tecnológicas: Fresa
  • C G Barrera
  • B C Sánchez
Barrera, C.G. and Sánchez, B.C. 2003. Caracterización de la cadena agroalimentaria/agroindustrial nacional, identificación de sus demandas tecnológicas: Fresa. Morelia, Michoacán. México. 79p.