Soilless culture (hydroponic) and timely supply of plants’ essential nutrients will increase their quantitative and qualitative performance. To assess the impact of N، K and Mg on yield and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria×ananasa cv. Sun Rise) an experiment was performed which included control treatment (no fertilizer application)، two levels of urea (100 and 200 mg/L per pot)، two levels of potassium chloride (75 and 150 mg/L per pot) and two levels of magnesium sulfate (50 and 100 mg/L per pot)، as a randomized complete blocks design with five replications، in the controlled greenhouse conditions، as hydroponic culture، in cocopeat+ perlite (50:50 v/v) substrate. Traits such as number of florescence، number of flowers، number of fruits، fruit weight، titrable acidity، soluble solids concentration، fruit firmness، fruit yield and total anthocyanin of the fruit were measured. The results showed that high level of magnesium sulfate significantly increased number of florescence، flowers and fruits. Application of low level of urea increased fruit weight significantly. Low level of potassium chloride increased significantly the concentration of soluble solids and fruit firmness، and high level of potassium chloride increased total anthocyanin of the fruits. None of the treatments had significant effect on titrable acidity of the strawberry.

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a plant belonging to the rose family, one of the most important small fruits, which is one of the most popular and widely used berries in the world due to its sweet aroma and taste. In this study, changes in qualitative and phytochemical traits of Kamaroza and Parus strawberry cultivars during 15 days of storage at 4 °C were investigated. In order to determine the possible contamination of strawberry fruit with contaminants, the amount of heavy metals was investigated using the emission spectroscopy technique by ICP. The results of comparing the studied traits in two strawberry cultivars showed that the amount of phenol, flavonoids, flavonols, anthocyanins and carbohydrates in Camarosa cultivar was significantly higher than Parus cultivar. But in terms of fiber content, Parus cultivar had more fiber content. Based on the results of comparing the data of two strawberry cultivars, after 15 days of storage, the amount of phenol, flavonoids, flavonols, carbohydrates and antioxidant capacity showed a significant increase only in Camarosa cultivar. These studies show that in terms of nutritional value and preservation of natural compounds during storage and post-harvest conditions, the type of strawberry cultivar is a determining factor, so that Camarosa has a special advantage over Parus cultivar. Examination of heavy metal results in two strawberry fruit cultivars showed that except for the amount of zinc metal, which in both strawberry species is less than the limit accepted by the World Health Organization, the amount of other heavy metals studied was higher than the standard.

Strawberry is a perishable fruit, vulnerable to mechanical damage, microbial spoilage and physiological disorders. Temperature of field and heat of respiration are two important factors affecting the postharvest quality of many fruits. The fruits must be cooled after the harvest in order to improve the quality and shelf-life of the product. The purpose of this experiment is to evaluate the effects of precooling on the microbial and physicochemical properties of two strawberry cultivars during storage.
Immediately after harvesting and packaging of strawberries “Queen Elisa and Kurdistan”, half of the packed was put in the field and the other half was subjected to the precooler. Finaly all of them, were transferred to the cold storage (1 oC, 90% RH). Microbial stability, physiochemical characteristics (weight loss, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin, total phenol contents, antioxidant capacity, titratable acidity, total soluble solids and pH) of precooled and non-precooled strawberries were evaluated every 4 days after harvesting up to 20 days of storage. This experiment was performed in a completely randomized design.
Precooled strawberries significantly showed lower microbial load, weight loss and destruction of ascorbic acid than that of non-precooled fruits up to 20 days of storage (p Application of precooling technique in Queen Elisa strawberry cultivar as compared to Kurdistan strawberry cultivar was significantly more effective in reducing the microbial load, weight loss and loss of biochemical characteristics.

The effects of Aloe Vera gel based edible coating in combination with Thym essential oil on postharvest quality of strawberries (natively called Gilasi) were studied. Two concentrations of Aloe vera fresh gel (50 and 100% wt) and two concentrations of Thym essential oil (0. 5 and 1 ml/L) were used for preparation of coatings. The treatments stored at refrigerator for maximum 21 days. The results showed that by increasing the time of storage, the total soluble solids and  titrable acidity increased. The Aloe vera gel based edible coating without thymol had inverse effect on decay of strawberries. The control samples had the highest weight loss during the storage. Incorporation of thymol seems to have no effect on weight loss reduction. . The texture firmness of strawberries with 100% aloe vera gel +1 ml/L thymol generally decreased with increasing the preservation time. The changes in the firmness of other treatments did not follow a logical pattern. Lightness parameter (L*) reduced during 14 days of storage. According to the sensorial results and purchase intention, in most cases, control took the highest score. The results of this study showed that Aloe vera gel coatings, on its own, could improve the properties (e.g. reducing weight loss) of strawberries during storage. Incorporation of thymol essential oil also had a remarkabely positive effect on strawberries storage time and reduction of decay. Among with these positive effects of these coatings, there were negative impacts of Aloe vera gel on storage time and acidity and negative impacts of thymol on sensory attributes, which make us propose that the coatings must be modified to be applied on strawberries.

Strawberry fruit (Fragaria ananasa) has many uses in the food industry, especially the essential oil and extract obtained from this fruit is used in many food products. In this study, changes in qualitative and chemical traits of two strawberry cultivars during 15 days of storage at 4 ° C were investigated. The results showed that the firmness of texture, the amount of soluble solids and the taste index in Kamaroza cultivar were significantly higher than Parus cultivar. The pH of both cultivars increased, while during these 15 days the amount of soluble solids and taste index in Parus cultivar increased significantly. Tissue stiffness and weight loss percentage in both cultivars showed a significant decrease during 15 days, but this decrease was more in Kamaroza cultivar. The studied qualitative and chemical traits as well as taste index in two strawberry cultivars were effectively changed during 15 days under the influence of cultivar type and storage period. These studies showed that the type of strawberry cultivar is a determining factor in terms of nutritional value and the content of natural compounds during storage and post-harvest conditions, so that Camarosa cultivar showed a special advantage over Parus cultivar in these respects. Low temperature storage seems to be an efficient way to preserve strawberry fruit.

Strawberry fruit has very short postharvest life because of its soft texture. To evaluate application effects of amino acids on Post-harvest life of Strawberry fruits, a factorial experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design in Research Greenhouse of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Experimental treatments were three amino acids (Arginine, Glutamine and Alanine) at three levels (0, 500 and 1000 µM) and two cultivars of strawberry (Camarosa and Gaviota). Strawberry fruits were harvested at commercial maturity stage and transported to the laboratory. Then fruits were kept in plastic containers and stored at 4 ºC. After 15 days, total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acidity (TA), flavor index (TSS/TA), total anthocyanin, total phenol, phelavonoid, total antioxidant capacity and percentage of fruit weight loss were determined. Results showed that the highest flavor index (18.41) was observed in Alanine1000- cultivar Gaviota. Also, the lowest fruit weight loss was related to Alanine 500- cultivar Gaviota (18%) and Arginine 500- cultivar Gaviota (14.5%) treatments. These two treatments were not statistically different. The highest fruit-weight loss (65.5%) was observed in Glutamine 500- cultivar Gaviota. Also, Glutamine 500- cultivar Gaviota had the highest Antocyanine. It can be concluded from this experiment that application of Arginine and Alanine amino acids prior to harvest of strawberry fruits can increase their postharvest life and quality.

Strawberry is one of the most important small fruits in Iran and the world. Identification of elite cultivars according to morphological characteristics is an important task in any breeding programs of strawberry in Iran. For evaluation of morphological characteristics, the available strawberry cultivars in Iran, 15 daughter’s plants of commercial strawberries, were cultivated in the greenhouse using hydroponic system. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among cultivars for all the traits. Results showed that the means obtained from some evaluated traits such as leaf number, branch crown number, stolon number and truss number per plant were 11.18, 4.81, 9.00 and 2.89, respectively. Total yield of cultivars varied from 45.83 to 322.9 g/plant and 4 cultivars (Aliso, Selva, Paros and Gaviota) yielded more than 250 g/plant, while cultivar Blackmore, Fresno and Kordestan produced less than 100g/plant. The amounts of fruit firmness indicated that 'Camarosa' fruits were firmer than others cultivars. By factor analysis, the characteristics were divided in to seven factors and included 14 characteristics that accounted for 90.24% of total variations. Also, cluster analysis classified the cultivars in to seven distinct groups. The means of all evaluated characteristics of the fourth group were higher than those of the total means. The cultivars of “Kordestan” and “Sequia” were placed in a distinct group. According to our results, strawberry cultivars had high variations in quantitative and qualitative traits and were suitable for breeding program of strawberry in Iran.

Strawberry Anthracnose Fruit Rot (AFR) is one of the main limiting factors for strawberry production industry worldwide including Iran. Due to the restrictions associated with fungicides application across strawberry fields, their adverse effects on environment and the possible fungicides resistance development among fungal strains of the pathogen, the use of resistant cultivars is considered the most effective method for the management of this disease. In this study, reactions of 25 commercial strawberry cultivars were evaluated against the fungus Colletotrichum nymphaeae, causing strawberry AFR using fruit, leaf, and crown-based assays. According to the results of this study, the strawberry cultivars showed different reactions to the disease depending on the inoculation of their leaf, fruit, and crown with C. nymphaeae PET1 under in vivo and greenhouse conditions. However, fruit-based assay was a better indicator of AFR disease susceptibility due to nature of AFR disease caused by C. nymphaeae. Overall, ‘Blakemore’ and ‘Kurdistan’ cultivars were significantly more resistant compared with others, except ‘Aliso’, ‘Mrak’, ‘Diamant’, ‘Yallova’, ‘New Kurdistan’, ‘Mac Donance’ and ‘Ten Beauty’, respectively. On the contrary, ‘Gaviota’ cultivar was significantly the most susceptible than the rest, except ‘Camarosa’. The common commercial cultivars grown in Iran including ‘Camarosa’, ‘Paros’, ‘Pajaro’, and ‘Queen Eliza’ were categorized on the list of susceptible and highly susceptible cultivars in this study. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the reaction of some commercial strawberry cultivars against C. nymphaeae causing strawberry AFR.

Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) is a predatory mite that can control spider mites. The effect of seven strawberry cultivars (including: ‘Marak’, ‘Yalova’, ‘Aliso’, ‘Gaviota’, ‘Sequoia’, ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Chandler’) on the growth and development of N. californicus was studied in the laboratory conditions (27 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 5% RH and 16L: 8D photoperiod). There was significant difference in the number of trichomes on the leaves of strawberry cultivars. Life table parameters were analyzed based on age˗ stage, two˗sex life table. Egg incubation and protonymphal duration were significantly different when the predator was reared on different cultivars. There was no significant difference of total longevity among different cultivars. The longest preoviposition period was observed on ‘Aliso’ (1.70 days). The fecundity rate on ‘Gaviota’ and ‘Sequioa’ (6.90 and 8.91 eggs, respectively) was lower than other cultivars tested. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.20 day-1) and fecundity rates (13.29 eggs) were on ‘Chandler’, which might be due to the higher nutritional quality of Tetranychus urticae Koch reared on it or its low density of trichomes. Among the seven strawberry cultivars ‘Sequoia’, ‘Gaviota’ and ‘Yalova’ were recognized unsuitable for development and reproduction of N. californicus.

Southern parts of Fars province, with mild autumn and winter, provides suitable conditions for protected cultivation of various crops such as strawberry. Crop production in greenhous has some advantages such as reducing energy consumption, out off-season production and early ripening fruits. To evaluate the yield and quality of 12 strawberry cultivars, an experiment was carried out in two successive years 2015 and 2016 at the Gerash region in Larestan. For this purpose, rooted strawberry daughter plants of cultivars Paros, Queen Elisa, Selva, Gaviota, Camarosa, Aromas, Kurdestan, Fresno, Missionary, Pajaro, Ventana, and Chandler were provided from Kurdistan Province and cultured in the Mid-autumn. The results showed that significant differences observed in number of flowers and inflorescences per plant, flowering and fruiting periods, fruit weight and total yield of cultivars. Among the studied cultivars, Paros produced the highest average fruit weight (23 g) and total yield (230 g per plant) and was the best cultivar. In general, Paros, Queen Elisa, Selva and Gaviota had the longest flowering and fruiting periods. In addition, in both years according to quantitative and qualitative traits, Paros had a good performance.