Yield Variability in Response to Planting Dates and Weather Conditions for Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) at Kerala’s High Ranges (Wayanad), India

Abstract

The modern cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) is a highly valuable crop, known for its quick return on investment and adaptability to varying climates. This study examines how different planting dates and weather conditions effect the yield of the Winter Dawn cultivar in high-altitude regions of Kerala, India. The field experiment was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station in Wayanad, located in Kerala's high range zone. A randomized block design was used, featuring five distinct planting dates. The crop yield was analyzed to weather conditions during each phenophase using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The results showed significant variations in strawberry yield related to fluctuations in temperature and photoperiod. Specifically, higher maximum and minimum temperatures during later growth stages had a negative impact on yield. Additionally, there were negative correlations between minimum temperature and rainfall with fruit yield during critical phenophases. Other factors, such as humidity, bright sunshine hours, and wind speed, exhibited varying relationships with yield. The study concluded that planting on September 30th resulted in the highest yield, with favorable weather conditions enhancing both vegetative growth and fruit development. Gaining insights into the relationship between weather parameters and strawberry phenophases can significantly improve strawberry cultivation practices in Kerala's climate.