Effects of cultural planting date and on yield and yield components of strawberry in organic production (in Hashtgerd climate condition)

In order to study the effects of planting date and plant density on morphological characteristics, quality as well as yield of strawberry, a split plot experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Hashtgerd, Alborz Province, during 2013-2014. Main plots were three planting dates of February 20, March 11 and April 9 and sub-plots included three inter-row spacing of 20, 30 and 40 cm. The results indicated that planting date of March 11, as the best date, had the highest fruit yield by about 148.67 gr/plant which was above 30% increase of yield compared with April 9 . Moreover, the highest amount of vitamin C, anthocyanin, TSS, TA, TSS/TA and firmness were achieved in this time. As regards planting space, space increases from 20 to 40 cm increased yield by almost 25%. In general, the results showed that in Hashtgerd climate condition, the best planting date and space for strawberry, among experimented values, were March 11th and 40 cm respectively.