No 2 (2024): Contemporary horticulture

The content of ascorbic acid, anthocyanins and mineral elements in fruit of 19 foreign and domestic strawberry cultivars in the Central Chernozem region was studied. The study of fruit chemical composition was carried out in 2020—2023 on the instrument – analytical base of the Biochemistry and Food Technologies Lab with the use of standard methods of analysis. The ascorbic acid averagely was 56.3±1.5 mg/100 g, anthocyanins – 40.0±4.1 mg/100 g. The varieties Privlekatelnaya, Urozhainaya CGL, Asia, Chamora Turusi, Jubilee Driscoll, Korona (above 60.0 mg/100 g) occurred to be the best in C vitamin value of fruit. The most stable indicator was in Privlekatelnaya (V = 5.9%) and Chamora Turusi (V = 6.9%). Based on the calculated value for the ascorbic acid content, we assert that the consumption of a serving of strawberries (100 g) covers the daily requirement for this biologically active compound (100 mg) by 53.3%, and depending on the variety – by 38.4—65.2%. The interval of variability for the anthocyanin content was from 12.3 (Bylinnaya) to 86.0 mg/100g (Feyerverk). Anthocyanin accumulation potential over 100 mg/100 g in some years of study was found in Feyerverk. Nutritional use of only 100g fruits of such varieties rich in anthocyanins as Privlekatelnaya (73.9 mg/100g), Feyerverk (86.0 mg/100g), Flora (65.9 mg/100g) allows to satisfy the daily need for them (50 mg) by 147.8; 172.0 and 131.8%, respectively. Intervarietal differences in accumulation of mineral substances were 1.7—2.3 times. The cation K⁺ content varied within 91.2—151.9 mg/100 g, Na⁺ – 1.12—2.58 mg/100 g, Mg²⁺ – 8.7—14.5 mg/100 g, Ca²⁺ – 18.4—43.0 mg/100 g. Bylinnaya, Privlekatelnaya, Feyerverk and Flora were singled out as the best ones for having mineral elements (K, Na, Mg, Ca). The superb varieties in vitaminic and antioxidant value are recommended for dietary nutrition and fruit process of functional food.

Growing strawberries in protected plant house conditions is important in regions with severe climates, including the Urals. Сity farms for growing fresh raw materials are in demand due to its popularity. In the Middle Urals (Sverdlovsk region), a comparative study of three strawberries varieties (Alba, Albion, Milan) on city farms was carried out for the first time. Plants were cultivated under conditions of artificial lighting and irrigation on the Vefarm Green installation. The setting up of the plantation was carried out with runners of strawberry using varieties of foreign origin. Agroperlite and peat mixture was used as a substrate; top dressing was carried out by periodic flooding using a universal complex mineral three-component fertilizer. The pH of the nutrient solution was maintained between 5.5 and 6.5; electrical conductivity – from 1.3 to 1.8 millisiemens, air temperature – from +16°С to +24°С and humidity – from 15% to 35%. The duration of daylight was 16 hours; the level of photosynthetically active radiation was 400 µmol/m2s. The rooting occurred in 14 days. The highest survival rate was observed for the Milan, but it did not produce healthy ordinary fruits. Flowering of plants started on 21 days after the beginning of the experiment. The plant flowering under our experimental conditions was similarly like studies with soilless culture of strawberries cultivated in made-up lighting and irrigation. Satisfactory results were obtained only for two varieties. The first harvest was obtained almost two months after the start of the experiment. Yield of strawberry Alba amounted 0.9—3.6 kg/m² and Albion 0.9—2.4 kg/m². The productivity of the strawberries on city farms was comparable with the productivity of Ural varieties in the field conditions. However, the weight of the berries was lower than indicated in the varietal characteristics. Further work is necessary to develop more effective technological process for cultivating garden strawberries on city farms.

The shelf life of garden strawberry fruits when stored under recommended conditions is about a week. Due to microbiological spoilage and seasonal availability of fruits, the issues of their long-term storage are relevant. Various methods of post-harvest treatment have been used to prevent microbial contamination and extend the shelf life of garden strawberries. The purpose of this study is to review modern post-harvest methods of garden strawberry fruits treatment to reduce microbiological spoilage and extend the shelf life of berries. A review of scientific publications and electronic resources for the period from 2012 to 2024 was conducted. The search for relevant literature was carried out by keywords through scientific databases such as Scopus, Web of Science and RSCI, as well as using the Google Scholar system. The study included papers published in English and Russian. Traditionally, thermal, plasma, radiation, chemical and biological treatments are used to preserve fruits after harvesting and extend their shelf life. In recent decades, modern environmentally friendly technologies have been developed, including modified and controlled atmosphere packaging, packaging based on active biopolymers or edible coatings. These methods can significantly increase the shelf life of fruits, as well as ensure the preservation of the quality and safety of raw plant materials. The first part of this review examines the metabolic and biochemical processes that underlie the ripening process of garden strawberries and provides an analysis of the factors causing spoilage of garden strawberries. This review may be of interest to the scientific community, as well as to specialists in the agro-industrial complex involved in the harvest and sale of fruits and berries.