Vermicompost as an Alternative Substrate to Peat Moss for Strawberry (Fragaria Ananassa) in Hydroponic Culture

Abstract

Abstract Background: Consecutive droughts and quantitative and qualitative reduction of surface and underground water resources have caused an increase in greenhouse and hydroponic cultivation for most garden crops, including strawberries, in Iran. On the other hand, most of the inputs of greenhouse crops in Iran are imported. To possibility of replacing vermicompostwith peat moss under hydroponic cultivation, an experiment was done in a split plot based on randomized complete blocks design in three replications in Isfahan (Iran) Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center in 2019. The main treatment was substrate at four levels included different levels of vermicompost (30 and 50%) and peat moss (30 and 50%) in combination with perlite and sub-treatment were Selva and Camarosa cultivars. Results: The results showed that Camarosa in 50% perlite/ 50% peat moss and Selva in 50% perlite / 50% peat moss and 70% perlite /30% vermicompost had maximum yield. Leaf number, chlorophyll index were the highest in Camarosa cultivar in peat moss substrates. Strawberry cultivars had the highest amount of root fresh weight, vitamin Cand soluble solids in substrates containing vermicompost. Camarosa in 50% perlite/ 50% peat moss and Selva in 50% perlite /50% vermicompost had maximumroot dry weight. Also The highest number of inflorescences was related to substrates containing peat moss and 70% perlite / 30% vermicompost. Maximum amount of fresh and dry weight of shoots were observed in 70% perlite/30% peat moss. Selva cultivar had more inflorescences (16.5%) than Camarosa and Camarosa cultivar produced more fresh and dry weight of shoots (16.5%, 23.01%) than Selva. Conclusion:Both strawberry cultivars in vermicompost and peat moss beds were slightly different from each other, even in traits such as TSS, vitamin C, and root fresh weight, vermicompost was better than peat moss, so since vermicompost is more cost-effective and affordable compared to peat moss, so a slight reduction in some traits in vermicompost in comparison with peat moss, it is justified and can be recommended as an alternative to peat moss in Selva and Camarosacultivar.