Cultural systems affect content of anthocyanins and vitamin C in strawberry fruits

The aim of the research was to study the influence of different mulches (plastic and straw) and additional fertilization on the content of anthocyanins and vitamin C in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) 'Bounty' fruits. Experiments were carried out at the Institute of Horticulture of the Estonian Agricultural University in 2002 and 2003. The results of the experiments showed that fertilization and straw mulch compared to plastic mulch had significant negative influence on content of anthocyanins in strawberry fruits in both years. The best treatment for the health of consumers based on increased anthocyanin content would be growing strawberries with plastic mulch with only pre-planting fertilization. In 2002, liquid fertilizer increased vitamin C content in fruits grown with plastic mulch; and decreased the content of vitamin C in fruits grown with straw mulch. In 2003, strawberry fruits from plastic mulch variant also contained more vitamin C than those from straw mulch variant, but fertilization did not affect content of vitamin C in any variant.