[en] The production of K*⁺(892), K*⁰(892), ρ⁰(770) and ω(783) vector mesons in q anti q events as well as in the gluonic Y(1S) decays and Y(4S)→B anti B decays has been studied using the ARGUS detector. Combining these results with data on pseudoscalar meson, φ meson and baryon production collected with the same detector allow comprehensive studies of quark and gluon fragmentation. Model independent information on s quark and vector meson suppression (s/u=0.37±0.04, V/(V+P)_π=0.21±0.04 and V/(V+P)_K=0.34±0.03)) are derived. The data are compared with predictions from the models Jetset 7.3 and UCLA 7.31. (orig.)