YIELD AND QUALITY PERFORMANCES OF SOME STRAWBERRY HYBRIDS AND CULTIVARS GROWN IN K. MARAS, TURKEY

The experiments were carried out during the second half of 1999 and the first half of 2000 at the K.S.U. Faculty of Agriculture in K. Maras. In the experiments, and the 25 hybrids of strawberry obtained by Paydaş and 10 cultivars (Annapolis, Camarosa, Delmarvel, Douglas, Early Glow, Northeaster, Pajaro, Spadeke, Sweet Charlie, Tudla) were used summer planting method was applied. The frigo plants were planted on a specially prepared beds with mixtures of 1) Sand+Terra Rosa soil+ Farm yard manure 2) Sand+Terra Rosa soil (Terra rosa is Mediterranean soil type. It is common in all the Mediterranean basin countries). 3) Terra Rosa soil. Fertigation was done by drip irrigation. In the hybrids and cultivars, yield/plant, and some quality characteristics such as fruit size, total soluble solid, flesh firmness, flesh color, fruit color, ease of calix removal and flavour were examined. The aroma and flavour were superior, but yields were low. It was thought that these hybrids could be grown here for the processing industry. The performances of the cultivars was found to be rather satisfactory with the growth and development of the plants quite acceptable.