THE EFFECT OF ANTITRANSPIRANT VAPOR GARD ON THE CROP YIELD AND QUALITY OF STRAWBERRY FRUITS Małgorzata Mikiciuk, Grzegorz Mikiciuk, Ewa Możdżer West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, e-mail: malgorzata.mikiciuk@zut.edu.pl The aim of the study being carried out was to evaluate the effect of antitranspirant produced with natural resins, with the trade name Vapor Gard, on the crop yield and quality of strawberry fruits of the cultivar Salsa. <...> Spraying of strawberry plants with antitranspirant Vapor Gard, at a 0,75% concentration, was applied before flowering. <...> This preparation was found to have an effect on increasing the crop yield and one fruit weight of strawberry cultivar Salsa. <...> The fruits of strawberry plants being sprayed with this antitranspirant were characterised by a higher content of ascorbic acid and accumulated less nitrates than those of control plants. <...> Antitranspirant Vapor Gard had an effect on increasing the potassium, calcium and magnesium contents in the strawberry leaves as well as that of magnesium in the strawberry fruits. <...> The application of this antitranspirant reduced accumulation of lead in the leaves and fruits of the strawberry cultivar being examined. <...> Strawberry belongs to plants with high water requirements. <...> Water deficit is one of the most important factors limiting the crop yield and fruit quality of this species [1-4]. <...> Many authors point to the necessity of strawberry plantation irrigation, particularly in fruit growth and ripening time [2, 3, 5, 6]. <...> One of the methods of increasing plant resistance to water deficiency may be application of antitranspirants [7]. <...> Therefore, the study being carried out aimed at evaluation of the effect of antitranspirant Vapor Gard on the crop yield and quality of strawberry fruits of the cultivar Salsa. <...> Well grown, healthy leaves, and ripe fruit were taken for determination. <...> The content of L-ascorbic acid, nitrate and nitrite was determined in juice by a reflectometer Merck RQflex 10. <...> Soluble solids content was determined by a refractometer Atago Pol 1. <...> The content of total macro and micronutrients in fruit and leaves of strawberry was determined in plant material dried at 105°C. <...> The plant material (5 g) was wet mineralized in a 03:01 mixture of nitrogen (V) and chloric (VII) acid. <...> According to MASNY AND ŻURAWICZ [8], the cultivar Salsa is distinguished by abundant crop yields and production <...>