Utilizing vermicompost extract as a promising biofertilizer to enhance the phytochemical composition of berry fruits : research data underlying the article

Tomić, Jelena (author), Karaklajić Stajić, Žaklina (author), Pešaković, Marijana (author), Paunović, Svetlana M. (author), Štampar, Franci (author), Mikulič Petkovšek, Maja (author), Hudina, Metka (author), Veberič, Robert (author), Jakopič, Jerneja (author)

The aim of this research was to compare the effect of chemical fertilization (CF) and its combination with biofertilization-liquid fertilizer based on vermicompost enriched with selected strains of beneficial microorganisms (CF+VP) on the phytochemical profile of three berry species: strawberry (‘Senga Sengana’), blackberry (‘Čačanska Bestrna’) and blueberry (‘Aurora’). The results showed that the combination of CF and VP (CF+VP) positively affected fruit weight (8.8 g), soluble solids content (8.9°Bx), sugars (65.6 g kg$^{-1}$ FW) and all identified phenolic groups (phenolic acids, flavanols, flavonols and anthocyanins) in blackberry fruits. Significantly higher fruit weight (15.5 g), total sugars and organic acids content (62.4 and 9.6 g kg$^{-1}$ FW, respectively) and flavanones content (20.1 mg 100 g$^{-1}$ FW) in strawberry fruits were confirmed in the combined treatment (CF+VP), also. In addition, the same treatment (CF+VP) exhibited the highest effectiveness in terms of the organic acid (21.0 g kg$^{-1}$ FW) and anthocyanins (153.3 mg 100 g$^{-1}$ FW) in blueberry fruits, too. Taking into account the stimulating effects on both the sensory and nutritional value of the fruit from the studied berry species, the usage of VP as a supplement to CF can be regarded as a sustainable practice for enhancing the current berry growing technology, aimed at obtaining biologically valuable fruits.

• Language: English
• Keywords: berries, biofertilization, organic acids, sugars, phenolics
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Year: 2024
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-156236
• Data col. methods: Measurements and tests
• Publication date in RUL: 15.05.2024

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Projects

• Funder: Other - Other funder or multiple funders
• Funding programme: Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia
• Project number: 451-03-66/2024-03/200215

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P4-0013
• Name: Hortikultura