LAUSR

ABSTRACT There is an increasing demand for fresh fruits such as strawberry enriched in antioxidants and vitamins. Strawberry fruit quality is highly affected by genotype and environmental conditions. In this study, six day-neutral strawberry cultivars, Albion, Monterey, Portola, San Andreas, Seascape, and Sweet Ann were grown under low tunnels covered with three UV selective films: Standard Clear (STD), TIII TES/TR (TES), and Temp cool (TEM). STD and TES blocked 5% and 10% UV transmittance, respectively, whereas TEM blocked 40% UV transmittance and 15% visible/infrared light. Strawberries were harvested and evaluated for fruit color, total anthocyanins, total phenolics, total soluble solids. After refrigerated storage, the strawberries were evaluated again for these traits plus decay incidence and weight loss. Genotype (cultivar) was the major factor affecting fruit quality, metabolite composition, and percentage decay in storage. Weight loss during storage was the only trait not significantly affected by cultivar. Cultivar × film type interaction effects were significant for all strawberry quality parameters.