The effect of gibberellic acid treatments on the yield and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) cv. Camarosa

Application of exogenous gibberellic acid (GA(3)) is a common agricultural practice in the coastal region of Turkey to break flower bud dormancy early. This treatment extends the strawberry growing season, increasing fruit yield. The effectiveness of GA(3) at 0, 5, 10 and 20 ppm, applied exogenously during the 2(nd) and 4(th) week of January was assessed on cv. Camarosa plants. The test-plants were field cultivated in a randomized block design at a Mediterranean coastal side in Turkey. Tests confirmed the efficiency of the experimental treatments to cause early flowering and fruit quality (weight, soluble solid, acidity) was not diminished. From this study, a treatment of 10 ppm GA(3) applied to fruit frost protected plants during the 2(nd) week of January is recommended for cv. Camarosa.