DOI: 10.32649/ajas.2026.193162 ISSN: 1992-7479

Effect of Vermicompost and The Foliar Application of Potassium and Boron on the Growth and Yield of Strawberries

N. I. Hussein, S. H. Salih
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This experiment was conducted during the 2024 growing season at the horticulture orchards of the University of Duhok in Sumel city, Duhok governorate, Kurdistan region of Iraq. It investigated the effect of three doses of liquid vermicompost (0, 50 and 100 ml plant-1) and three levels of foliar spray with potassium (0, 1 and 2 g L-1) and boron (0, 20 and 40 mg L-1) on plant growth and yield enhancement of the Rubygem strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cvgrown in field conditions. The parameters evaluated were leaf area (cm2 plant-1), leaf mineral content (N percentage, Fe mg kg -1), flower setting percentage, marketable fruits percentage, plant yield (g plant-1), fruit juice percentage, fructose (g (100 g)-1 on FW), vitamin C (mg (100ml)-1 fruit juice), and fruit potassium content percentage. The experimental units were laid out as a 3x3x3 factorial experiment in RCBD, with 5 plants for each experimental unit and four replications (540 plants). The treatment means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test at 5% significance level, and the data were analyzed using SAS software. General acquired results indicated that the incremental application of vermicompost, potassium and boron rates especially at 100 ml plant-1 vermicompost, 2 g L-1 potassium and 20 and 40 mg L-1boron produced significant increases in most of the studied parameters. The interaction between vermicompost, potassium, and boron at high rates produced the following results: leaf area (123.278 cm2 plant-1), leaf N mineral content (2.088%), Fe (101.000 mg kg -1), flower setting (82.347%), marketable fruits (90.683%), plant yield (253.464 g. plant-1), fruit juice (91.833%), fructose (2.023 g (100 g) -1 on FW), vitamin C (104.153 mg (100ml)-1 fruit juice), and fruit potassium content (1.858%)

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