ABSTRACT
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for animals, plants, microorganisms and human health. Thus, it appears that increasing amounts of Se in plants could have positive implications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of foliar and substrate application of selenite (Se IV) and selenate (Se VI) on weight, fruit quality, growth parameters and content of chlorophyll from old and new leaves of strawberry plants (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cv. ‘Splendor’ in a soilless growing system with coir fiber as substrate. The treatments were: T1 Se(IV)F (foliar), T2 Se(IV)S (substrate), T3 Se(VI)F, T4 Se(VI)S and T5 control (without Se). The same concentrations of Se(IV) and Se(VI) were applied weekly. The results of analysis showed that the effect of treatments on firmness, total soluble solids and titratable acidity in fruit were significant. The highest values of firmness and total soluble solids were showed by treatment T4 Se(VI)S. T2 and T4 treatments showed the highest pH values. The results indicate that Se has a positive effect on SPAD values on old leaf. The strawberry plants with selenium treatments have higher number of leaves than control plants.
Index terms
Fragaria x ananassa Duch; Total Soluble Solid; Soilless; Titratable acidity; ºBrix