This work evaluates the physical and physical-chemical parameters of the strawberry variety “Festival”, obtained in the soil and climate conditions of Humpata, Huila Province, Angola, following the transformation into sweet of adequate quality. The analyses made were: the mass determined on an analytical balance and the transversal and longitudinal diameters with a pachymeter. Other analyses were: total titratable acidity by volumetry, pH by potentiometry, total soluble solids by refractometry, moisture and ash by gravimetry. The study showed that the pH of the pulp was 3.41; and in the candy it was 3.31. The titratable acidity in the strawberry pulp had a value of 0.186 g/100 mL and in the jam 0.096 g/100 mL; the ascorbic acid content in the pulp was 18.60 mg∕100 g. The average soluble solids content in the pulp was 9.51 °Brix and for the jam 68.83 °Brix. These chemical characteristics of the pulp and jam provide information about their nutritional values.
Hydroponics is a modern agricultural system that enables year-round plant growth. Biochar, derived from apple tree waste, and humic acid were investigated as a replacement for the Hoagland nutrient solution to grow strawberries in a greenhouse with three replications. Growth parameters, such as leaf area, the average number of fruits per plant, maximum fruit weight, and the weight of fresh and dry fruits, were measured. A 50% increase in fresh and dry fruit weight was observed in plants grown using biochar compared to the control. Additionally, the use of Hoagland chemical fertilizer led to a 25% increase in both fresh and dry weight. There was a 65% increase in the number of fruits per plant in the biochar-grown sample compared to the control. Moreover, biochar fertilizer caused a 100% increase in maximum fruit weight compared to the control and a 27% increase compared to the Hoagland chemical fertilizer. Biochar had a higher pH compared to the Hoagland solution, and such pH levels were conducive to strawberry plant growth. The results indicate that biochar has the potential to enhance the size and weight of fruits. The findings of the study demonstrate that biochar, when combined with humic acid, is a successful organic hydroponic fertilizer that improves the quality and quantity of strawberries. Moreover, this approach enables the more efficient utilization of garden waste.
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