Journal ID : AMA-15-09-2022-11681
[This article belongs to Volume - 53, Issue - 09]
Total View : 412

Title : EFFECT OF CONTAINER SIZE AND GROWING MEDIA ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF STRAWBERRY (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Abstract :

The present study sought to determine the effectiveness of growth, yield and quality of strawberries in different container sizes and growing media. The experiment was carried out at Research Farm, Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Main campus, Chatha, during the year 2020-21. Three replicates of each plant were tested using containers of six different sizes, i.e., (24 cm × 24 cm × 14 cm), (25 cm × 21 cm × 12 cm), (20 cm × 20 cm ×10 cm), (37 cm × 23 cm × 9 cm), (35 cm × 18 cm × 14 cm) and (23 cm × 23 cm × 10 cm) in factorial randomized block design. The strawberry plants were planted in containers filled with a growing media of cocopeat, perlite and vermicompost in the following ratios: 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 3:1:1, 4:0:1, 4:1:0, 4:1:1, respectively, and control. At the end of the study, observations on the growth, shoot, leaf, flower, root and biochemical parameters of each plant were recorded. Among all the treatments, the results showed plants raised in PVC pots with a growing media ratio of 3:1:1 (C2T3) had significantly greater height, higher growth, maximum flowering and fruiting. Also, the cost and returns were reported to be higher in polyethylene bags with a growing media ratio of 3:1:1 (C1T3) with a benefit cost ratio of 1:1.70. Thus, it is recommended that for strawberry production in open areas, PVC pots with growing media in a 3:1:1 ratio be used, as this will ensure greater success in plant establishment and provide disease-free, healthy strawberries. It is also indicated that soilless production of containerized strawberries cv. Chandler can be taken as commercial cultivation.

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