Response of hydroponically-grown strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) plants to different ratios of K:Mg in the nutrient solution

Plant nutrient solutions are effective on yield, quality and physiological deformations of strawberries grown in soilless conditions. Nutrient solutions that enhances the yield and quality of plants grown in soilless conditions are optimized through anion-cation equilibrium, optimum K⁺+Ca²⁺:Mg²⁺ and K⁺:Ca²⁺ ratio. In this study, the effect of three different K⁺:Mg²⁺ ratios (1.83; 2.34; 3.16) on some morpho-physiological features (crown diameter, chlorophyll index, leaf temperature), yield, quality (fruit weight, total soluble solids, firmness) and physiological deformation (tip burn) of 'Albion' strawberry cultivar were investigated. Results showed that increasing K⁺:Mg²⁺ ratios from 1.83 to 3.16 had significantly increased fruit weight, yield and tip burn rate. In terms of morpho-physiological features, the best ratio was 2.34.