Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Response of the Strawberry Plant Variety “Rubygem” to the Addition of Vermicompost and Foliar Application With Potassium and Boron

10.58928/ku26.17228
Volume 17, Issue 2
Spring 2026
Page 264-276
Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Naji Isam Hussein 1
Shukri Haji Salih 2

1 Department of Horticulture. College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences. University of Duhok. Iraq

2 Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq

Abstract
This experience was conducted from 22/2/2025 to 10/11/2025 in Horticultural orchards at the University of Duhok, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, which is situated in Sumel City, Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan region of Iraq., to investigate the effects of three dosages of liquid vermicompost (0, 50 and 100 ml plant-1) and Three doses of foliar potassium spray (0, 1 and 2 g L-1) and boron (0, 20 and 40 mg L-1) on the contents of the leaves and the increase in yield of the field-grown strawberry variety "Rubygem". The strawberry field soil's physical and chemical characteristics (clay 49.7%, silt 35.2%, sand 15.1%, total N 1.242%, available P 2.013 ppm, available K 2.151 ppm), with a planting distance of 40 by 75 cm, were determined. The following parameters were noted throughout the experiment: leaf protein content percentage, Zn (mg kg -1), length of flowering period (Day), juice density (g cm-3), hectare yield (kg h-1), distorter fruits percentage, fruit anthocyanins content (mg 100 gm-1 fruit flesh weight), glucose (g 100 g-1 on fresh weight). The overall results demonstrated that the progressive addition of boron, potassium, and vermicompost rates, especially at (100 ml plant-1 vermicompost, 2 g L-1 potassium and 20 and 40 mg L-1 boron) resulted in a significant increase in most of the metrics being studied. High rates of interaction between vermicompost, potassium, and boron produced leaf protein content percentage (13.048 %), Zn (41.488 mg kg -1), length of flowering period (94.750 Day), juice density (1.308 g cm-3), hectare yield (8800.816 kg h-1), distorter fruits percentage (24.585 %), fruit anthocyanins content (24.811mg 100 gm-1 fruit flesh weight) and glucose (1.925 g 100 g-1 on fresh weight).

Keywords

Strawberry
Vermicompost
Potassium oxide
Boric acid
Foliar application
Subjects
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