Development, Fruit setting and Pomological Characteristics in Strawberry (Fragaria ananasa Duch.) as Affected by Biofertilizers under Vertical Farming System. Cv. Winter Dawn

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during 2021-2022 to see the Development, Fruit setting and Pomological characteristics in Strawberry ( Fragaria ananasa Duch.) as affected by Biofertilizers under vertical farming system. Cv. Winter dawn with 10 treatments including control in combinations of organic and microbial sources of nutrients (Vermicompost, FYM, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and PSB) replicated thrice with 3 plants per replication in Randomized Block Design. Observations were recorded for vegetative growth, fruit yield, quality. In different combinations (biofertilizers and organic manure) the treatment T9 (Soil (50%) +Vermicompost (50%) + Azotobacter (2g) + Azospirillum (2g) recorded highest plant height, plant spread, number of leaves and leaf area as compared to T7 (Soil (50%) + FYM (50%) + PSB (2g) + Azotobacter (2g). Plant treatment T9 (Soil (50%) +Vermicompost (50%) + Azotobacter (2g) + Azospirillum (2g)) registered earliest flowering and also highest number of flowers per plant. The maximum fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and yield were recorded with plants treated with T9 (Soil (50%) +Vermicompost (50%) + Azotobacter (2g) + Azospirillum (2g) followed by T7 (Soil (50%) + FYM (50%) + PSB (2g) + Azotobacter (2g) at 90 DAP followed by T8 (Soil (50%) + coir pith (50%) + Azospirillum (2g) + PSB (2g) treatment. The maximum Benefit: Cost ratio (1: 3.39) was recorded in the T9 (Soil (50%) +Vermicompost (50%) + Azotobacter (2g) + Azospirillum (2g) than T7 (Soil (50%) + FYM (50%) + PSB (2g) + Azotobacter (2g) due to its lower cost of production. The highest yield and best quality fruit were recorded in the combination of T9 (Soil (50%) +Vermicompost (50%) + Azotobacter (2g) + Azospirillum (2g).