Studies on Determination of Strawberry Cultivars Suitable for Ereğli-Konya Ecological Conditions

In order for strawberry varieties to be recommended in any region, the ecological demands of the varieties must be determined by making adaptation studies. For a successful strawberry production, variety adaptation plays an important role in the growing region. In strawberry cultivation, one of the most important purposes of breeding programs is to regulate yield and fruit quality. This study was carried out in order to determine the yield and quality characteristics of four strawberry cultivars (Albion, Monterey, San Andreas and Portola) using frigo seedlings in the Ereğli district of Konya province in 2019-2020. In the study, the earliest flowering and the highest yield were observed in Portola variety in both years. The highest fruit weight was obtained from Monterey (8.19 g) in the first year and Portola (7.72 g) in the second year. The highest number of fruits per plant was obtained from Portola (11.85-8.20 units/plant) in both years. The highest fruit firmness was determined in Monterey (1.47-1.49 kg/cm2) cultivar in both years. The highest TSS content was determined in Albion (12.40-15.10%) in both years. In the experiment, the highest L (brightness) values were found in San Andreas (35.77-36.82) variety in both years. The highest C (color intensity) value was determined in San Andreas (41.25-43.53) cultivar in both years. The darkest red fruits were determined in Monterey (h°=30.33) and Portola (h°=32.06) in the first year, and in Portola (h°=31.46) and Monterey (C°=32.15) cultivars in the second year. Titratable acidity was found to vary between 1.09% and 1.15% in the first year and between 1.23% and 1.69% in the second year. As a result, it was concluded that the cultivation of Portola variety is appropriate in terms of yield and quality characteristics in Konya province Ereğli conditions.