2017 ASHS Annual Conference

High tunnel production has greatly expanded in the central U.S. in recent years for crops that are prone to damage in open field systems. Specialty berries, namely strawberries, are cited by local growers as a fruit crop of interest in acre expansion in the central U.S. Day-neutral strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) production within high tunnels could increase yields, marketability, and storage quality, while extending the season. Consumers purchase produce based on appearance and textural quality, while repeat purchases are determined on organoleptic quality (i.e. taste, color, aroma, appearance). This study identifies the most successful day-neutral strawberry cultivars grown in a plasticulture, high tunnel system in regards to consumer preference and the corresponding at-harvest quality parameters. The research was conducted at Kansas State University Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center (OHREC) during 2014 and 2015 in collaboration with the Sensory and Consumer Research Center. Mature fruit (90-100% red) of five commercially available cultivars (‘Albion’, ‘Evie 2’, ‘Monterey’, ‘Portola’, and ‘Seascape’) were harvested twice one day prior to the consumer studies conducted on July 25, 2015 (n=170 participants) and August 5, 2015 (n=51 participants). Consumer questionnaires were made to assess the overall likeness regarding redness, sweetness, texture, and flavor using the 9-point Hedonic scale. Additionally, the at-harvest quality was assessed by physical, organoleptic, and nutritional quality measurements (texture and color; soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), and the flavor ratio (SSC/TA); and antioxidant and total phenolic capacity). Our results from the consumer study, showed that all cultivars scored >6 on the overall likeness scale while ‘Monterey’ and ‘Albion’ scored the highest in overall likeness. Specifically, 87% of the participants agreed that the color of ‘Monterey’, based on redness, was ‘Just about right’; 87% of participants agreed that texture was ‘Just about right’. The majority of participants (55%) agreed that the sweetness of ‘Monterey’ was ‘Just about right’. The consumer and sensory study results were in agreement with our instrumental measurements where ‘Albion’ and ‘Monterey’ had the highest SSC (P < 0.0001) throughout both growing seasons at 7.78 and 7.64, respectively. Furthermore, the two cultivars preferred by consumers produced dark red berries with redness (a*) and lightness (L*) values lower than the other cultivars. We found that fruit texture, color, and sweetness corresponded to the overall likeness scores given by consumers. In Kansas, growing day-neutral strawberries in a high tunnel has potential based on consumer preference and quality of the fruit evaluated.