Evaluation of the effectiveness of using PE- and PO-films in hydroponics for strawberry cultivation: the impact of illumination on yield and berry quality

Relevance. In agriculture, the adoption of modern innovative technologies aimed at increasing crop productivity and improving product quality is highly relevant. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of using polyethylene (PE) and polyolefin (PO) films under hydroponic strawberry cultivation conditions, as well as to examine the effect of light intensity on yield, berry quality parameters, and the economic feasibility of applying these technologies.

Methodology. The experiment used strawberry varieties Fragaria × ananassa Duch., such as Seolhyang, Maehyang, Jukhyang, King’s Berry, Keumsil, as well as the Japanese hybrid Yotsuboshi F1 (red strawberry), grown in greenhouses with the use of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PO) films, which differ in their light transmission capacity.

Results. The conducted studies made it possible to determine the effect of light intensity on stem development, leaf growth, leaf surface area, yield, and fruit quality characteristics of different strawberry varieties. During the cultivation of five strawberry varieties and hybrids that were genetically significantly different from each other, it was established that PE film maintained an average daytime temperature of 22.5°C and a nighttime temperature of 15.4°C, whereas PO film maintained temperatures of 23.6°C during the day and 17.3°C at night. Due to the reduced level of light transmission under PE film, yield decreased by up to 5.0 t/ha, while PO film ensured a stable light regime and made it possible to obtain an additional yield ranging from 3.3 to 5.0 t/ha.

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