Wood Fiber-Based Growing Media for Strawberry Cultivation: Effects of Incorporation of Peat and Compost

Cultivation of strawberries in greenhouses and polytunnels is increasing, new sustainable growing media are needed to replace peat coconut coir. This study investigated the effect wood fiber compost as on hydroponically cultivated strawberries. Two experiments were conducted, where everbearing cultivar ‘Murano’ was grown mixtures (Experiment 1) seasonal flowering ‘Malling Centenary’ 2). Additionally, Experiment 2, adding start fertilizer assessed. The yield potential plants maintained all substrates compared coir control. However, a mixture 75% 25% produced highest yield, suggesting that nutritious materials with may improve plant performance. chemical composition berries not affected by substrate composition; however, from best performing blend had lower firmness than those higher yields enriched fertilizer. Generally, productivity blends containing up even without