THE EVALUATION OF FRUITS QUALITY IN SOME STRAWBERRY CULTIVARS (FRAGARIA X ANANASSA L. DUCH.)

The major factors influencing the strawberries quality are the genotype, culture technology, climatic conditions and harvest time. In Romania consumers like strawberry fruits especially picked in May to June season, in that period having better appearance, nutritional and organoleptic qualities, superior to those that ripen in summer and autumn. In 2012-2014 period at RIFG Pitesti was organized an experiment with seven strawberry cultivars to compare the quality of fruits, some cultivars being already in the commercial culture. The results showed significant differences between cultivars regarding the following quality parameters: the color of the fruits, determined by chroma (C*) recorded values ranging between 23.52 (Magic) and 32.92 (Premial) and the hue angle (hº), values between 21.74 (Clery) and 26.95 (Magic); fruit size determined by the size index registered values between 34.28 (Coral) and 39.2 (Record), average fruit weight ranging from 13.63 g at Coral cultivar and 25.02 g at Record cultivar. At the same time fruit firmness revealed the highest values for Alba (2.98 kgf/cm2) and Clery cultivars (2.78 kgf/cm2); The Coral cultivar noted the strongest aroma and the highest soluble solids content (10.33% Brix).