Influence of the ecological cultivation of strawberries (Fragaria x Ananassa Cv Chandler) on the quality of the fruit and on their capacity for conservation

The quality of strawberries cultivated ecologically has been studied and compared to that of conventionally cultivated strawberries. The fruits from the two groups were grown in adjacent plots under identical environmental conditions. The quality parameters analyzed were both physical and chemical. The organoleptic characteristics of both types of fruit have been evaluated by a taste panel. By means of a simulation trial possible differences between changes in the quality of the fruits from each group during transportation and shelf life have been examined. The results show that the ecologically grown fruit had a superior quality to the conventionally grown fruit, the former showing a more intense color, higher sugar, and dry matter contents and better organoleptic characteristics. Ecologically grown fruits had a higher resistance to deterioration during simulated marketing conditions and thus a better degree of conservation.