Effect of Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Strawberry in Open Field Condition, and Study of Packaging Materials and Shelf Life of Strawberry after Harvesting

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during 2022-2023 to see the effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources on growth, yield and quality of strawberry cv. Winter dawn with 7+1 treatments with different combinations of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients (Vermicompost, FYM, and R.D.F.) replicated thrice with 3 plants per replication in Randomized Block Design. Observations were recorded for vegetative growth, fruit yield, quality. In different combinations (organic manure and inorganic manure) the treatment T5 (60% RDF+ 40% Vermicompost) recorded highest plant height, plant spread, number of leaves and flowers as compared to T0 (control). Plant treatment T5 (20% RDF+ 80% Vermicompost) 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 T5 (60% RDF+ 40% Vermicompost) followed by T6 (40% RDF + 60% Vermicompost) at 90 DAP. Due to its lower production costs, T5's 20% RDF+ 80% Vermicompost had a higher benefit to cost ratio than T6's 40% RDF + 60% Vermicompost.