Effectiveness of organic and synthetic products on the occurrence of gray mould and strawberry fruit quality

Abstract

In recent years, the demand for strawberries on the world market is constantly increasing, primarily due to their unique taste and health benefits. Fruits produced without the use of agrochemicals, which are at the same time safer, more nutritious and healthier, are in particular demand. These forced researchers to identify ecologically safe techniques that can satisfy consumer preferences. Although many aspects of environmental methodologies in strawberry cultivation have already been investigated, the application of biosafe fertilizers and/or pesticides which greatly contribute to healthy food is still rare. Based on this background, a new formula of the liquid vermicompost-based product (VCMo), consisting of microbes from Trichoderma, Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Azotobacter genera, suitable for both nutrition and protection, has been developed at the Fruit Research Institute Čačak (Republic of Serbia). Its effectiveness was assessed by measuring the degree of gray mould (Botrytis cinerea Pers.) infection and changes in quality (fruit weight and dimensions, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity) of strawberry fruits. In addition, its efficacy has been compared to the biodegradable product (FitoBotryfun) and a combination of synthetic fungicides (Switch+ Signum). As regards the control of gray mould, the highest efficacy was achieved by the Switch+ Signum application, followed by VCMo, while the efficacy of FitoBotryfun was less satisfactory. On the other hand, the highest quality of the strawberry fruits was observed in VCMo treatment followed by FitoBotryfun and Switch+ Signum. The obtained results suggest that VCMo can be an alternative to chemical-based fungicides in B. cinerea control programme of strawberries. All this together qualifies VCMo as a promising biological treatment that meets the needs of both growers and consumers.