Effect of Paclobutrazole and Calcium Prohexadione on Some Physiological and Qualitative Characteristics of (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch. cv. Paros)

In order to reduce vegetative growth and increase the quality of strawberry fruits a research was carried out using paclobutrazole and calcium prohexadione on cultivar Paros. In this study calcium prohexadione at three concentrations (0, 100 and 150 mg L-1) and paclobutrazole at four concentrations (0, 60, 90 and 120 mg L-1) in two stages (four and seven weeks after planting) were sprayed. The results showed that the effects of paclobutrazole, calcium-prohexadione, and their interaction significantly increased the photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll content, leaf carotenoids, yield, and fruit anthocyanins. The effect of paclobutrazole at 5% probability level and calcium prohexadione at 1% probability level increased significant in the photosynthetic efficiency. Calcium prohexadione and its interaction with paclobutrazole at 1% probability level increased significant in the firmness of the fruit tissue and significantly decreased in the titratable acidity. Soluble solids were not affected by these retardants. Using from calcium prohexadione alone at 5% probability level increased significantly in the vitamin C. Generally, the physiological characteristics of the plant were increased by the use of both growth retardants, while the qualitative factors were more affected by calcium prohexadione.