Horticultural Science and Technology 원예과학기술지 ISSN:1226-8763(Print) 2465-8588(Online)

This study aimed to investigate the effects of CO₂fertilization on vegetative and reproductive growth and fruit yield of plants grown in a commercial strawberry farm. Leaf length and width were 14.3 and 12.2% lower in the CO₂fertilization than in the control (without CO₂fertilization), respectively. Photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductivity, and transpiration rate were significantly lower in the CO₂fertilization than that in the control treatment. The fresh and dry weights of fruit grown in the CO₂fertilization were 19.9% and 27.3% higher, respectively, in January. Total yield was higher at 6 to 8 weeks when the CO₂was applied, but it was not significant. When the fruit carbohydrate concentration was measured in triplicate at a 3-day intervals from the 6th to 13th of January, the sucrose concentration was initially lower in the CO₂fertilization than that in the control. However, at the second and last time points, it was higher, about 41 μg·g^-1 (30 μg / fruit) and 21 μg·g^-1 (89 μg / fruit), respectively, than the control. Both glucose and fructose were also about 14 μg·g^-1 (68-73 μg / fruit) higher than the control treatment groups at the last time point. Vertical and horizontal hardness, soluble sugar content, and acid content of fruit grown with CO₂fertilization were slightly higher than the control, although there was no statistical significance. Together, these data suggest that a long-term CO₂ fertilization for a protected cultivation of strawberry crop can reduces vegetative growth, but improves reproductive growth and fruit quality.