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Author: Anu, Kurian × End date: 2020 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Production dynamics of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) in Kerala
    (Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Anu Kurian; KAU; Ajith Kumar, K
    Strawberry is a unique soft fruit crop known for its tantalizing aroma, bright red colour, juicy texture, sweetness and high nutritive value. This is a highly remunerative crop and give quickest returns with in a short period of six months. Temperature and photoperiod are the most important environmental factors that affect the transition from vegetative to flowering phase of strawberry. Previous studies conducted in the department have proved that strawberry can be grown in the plains as well as in hills of Kerala during September to March even in the open condition. The suitable genotypes and good management practices are of paramount importance for successful cultivation of strawberry. With this brief background, the present investigation titled “Production dynamics of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) in Kerala” was undertaken to identify suitable cultivars, better nutrient management, better spacing, suitable growing systems and media for the homestead cultivation of Kerala. Total of four experiments were designed for the study. The study was conducted using eight strawberry varieties under two different agroclimatic zones of Kerala. In Central mid-lands, cv. Winter Dawn recorded signficantly higher number of leaves and number of crowns per plant, whereas in High ranges, cv. Winter Dawn was found significantly superior for maximum plant height, number of leaves and number of crowns per plant. The attributes viz., number of clusters, flowers and fruits per plant were recorded in cv. Winter Dawn which was followed by cv. Sabrina-1 in both locations. Maximum harvesting period was recorded in cv. Winter Dawn in Central mid-lands while it was maximum in cv. Sabrina-1 in High ranges. Quality attributes such as TSS/acidity ratio was recorded maximum in cv. Sweet Charlie under both locations. Winter Dawn recorded maximum ascorbic acid content in both locations while cv. Crystal recorded maximum anthocyanin content. Maximum β-Carotene content was recorded in cv. Sabrina-1 in Central mid-lands while it was maximum in cv. Hadar in High ranges. Evaluating all the parameters during crop period, both Sabrina-1 and Winter Dawn showed stability in their sensory qualities in Central mid-lands. In High ranges, it was recorded in cv. Sweet Charlie. Nine different nutrient combinations were studied using cv. Winter Dawn in Central mid-lands of Kerala. Among the different nutrient combinations, FYM (30 t ha-1), N, P2O5, K2O @ 75:20:100 kg ha-1 (T8) recorded maximum vegetative attributes, number of flowers, fruits and yield per plant (79.92 g) and quality parameters such as TSS and TSS/acidity ratio. Maximum content of total sugars, ascorbic acid and highest sensory score were recorded in the nutrient combination FYM (30 t ha-1), N, P2O5, K2O @ 100:40:50 kg ha-1 (T9). Physiological attributes such as leaf area index was found to maximum in the nutrient combination FYM (t ha-1), N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1@ 30:100:40:50 (T9), while the relative growth rate was recorded maximum in FYM (30 t ha-1), N, P2O5, K2O @ 75:20:100 kg ha-1 (T8) and 20 t ha-1, 50:40:100 kg ha-1 (T4). Among the nutrients, uptake was maximum in nitrogen and it ranges from 10.66 to 58.65 kg ha-1. The nutrient potassium which favours fruit formation was found maximum in the nutrient combination FYM (30 t ha-1), N, P2O5, K2O @ 75:20:100 kg ha-1 (T8) which ultimately resulted in maximum yield per plant. Different nutrient combinations had significant difference on nutrient content of strawberry fruits except copper content. The highest B/C ratio (0.91) was recorded for the nutrient combination, FYM (30 t ha-1), N, P2O5, K2O @ 75:20:100 kg ha-1 (T8). Six different spacing trials were studied using strawberry cv. Winter Dawn in both Central mid-lands and High ranges. Vegetative attributes viz., plant height, number of leaves and number of crowns were maximum in closer spacing of 20 cm x 20 cm in both Central mid-lands and High ranges which have led to the maximum production of flowers, clusters, fruits and yield per plant (100.03 g; 271.69 g) in both locations. Quality attributes viz., TSS, TSS/acidity ratio and total sugars were found maximum in wider spacing of 30 cm x 50 cm (T2) in Central mid-lands. In High ranges, maximum total sugars was recorded at a spacing of 30 cm x 60 cm (5.37 %) while maximum ascorbic acid and β-Carotene content were recorded at a spacing of 30 cm x 50 cm (T2). The total sensory score was found maximum in 30 cm x 50 cm (T2) in Central mid-lands while it was maximum in 30 cm x 60 cm (T1) in High ranges. Closer spacing of 20 cm x 20 cm did not have significant influence the quality attributes however it recorded highest B/C ratio in both Central mid-lands (1.21) and High ranges (3.28). Six different growing systems viz., hanging pots, hanging pipes, hanging bottles, vertical garden, grow bags and raised beds and four different growing media viz., Soil: Cocopeat: FYM, Soil: Cocopeat: Vermicompost, Cocopeat: Perlite: FYM and Cocopeat: Perlite: Vermicompost in 1:1:1 ratio were studied using cv. Winter Dawn in Central mid-lands. Vegetative attributes viz., plant height, number of leaves, plant spread and number of crowns were recorded maximum in growbags and raised beds with growing medium, Soil: Cocopeat: Vermicompost (1:1:1) which led to the maximum production of number of flowers, clusters, fruits and yield per plant (86.26 g). Quality attributes viz., TSS, TSS/acidity ratio and total sugars were recorded maximum in raised beds with growing medium Cocopeat: Perlite: Vermicompost (1:1:1). The overall sensory score was found maximum in fruits grown in raised beds with medium Soil: Cocopeat: FYM (1:1:1). The highest B/C ratio (1.36) was recorded with raised beds with Soil: Cocopeat: Vermicompost (1:1:1) as growing medium. On evaluation, it is found that cv. Winter Dawn showed significantly superior performance in vegetative, flowering, fruit and yield attributes with resistance to serious pests and diseases. Hence, it can be recommended as a best variety for strawberry cultivation in Kerala. Among the different nutrient combinations, FYM (30 t ha-1), N, P2O5, K2O @ 75:20:100 kg ha-1 (T8) was found suitable for better nutrient recommendation for strawberry. Though closer spacing of 20 cm x 20 cm recorded maximum yield but wider spacing would enhance the quality of fruits. Grow bag is found the best suitable growing system with growing medium Soil: Cocopeat: Vermicompost at 1:1:1 ratio, for home gardening of strawberry.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) in different growing conditions
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Anu Kurian; KAU; Ajith Kumar, K
    The study on “Performance of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) in different growing conditions” was conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ambalavayal, Wayanad, Kerala from September 2013 to March 2014. The main objective was to compare the performance of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) under three growing conditions (open field, greenhouse and fan and pad system) and under two agro ecological zones of Kerala (Central mid-lands and High ranges). Among the growth characters, plant height and plant spread were maximum in the fan and pad system in Central midlands. More number of leaves per plant was recorded under open condition. Number of leaves and plant spread were the maximum with planting in the last week of September. In High ranges, plant height and plant spread were highest in the greenhouse system and maximum number of leaves was recorded in open condition. Number of leaves per plant recorded was maximum in last week of September planting. In Central mid-lands, minimum days to first flowering (55.67 days) was recorded under fan and pad system. The systems of growing had no effect on number of flowers and number of clusters per plant. Days to first flowering was minimum (57.11 days) in plants mulched with black polyethylene. Early flowering (55.0 days) was observed when mulched with black polyethylene in fan and pad system. In High ranges, number of flowers (20.78) and number of clusters per plant (17.47) were highest under open condition. Systems of growing had no effect on days to first flowering. Plants in the open condition with black polyethylene mulch resulted in maximum number of flowers (25.85) and number of clusters per plant (21.57) per plant. Among the yield attributes, in Central midlands, fan and pad system was the best with respect to production of fruits per plant (5.87). Systems of growing had no effect on yield and average fruit weight per plant. Greenhouse was the best with respect to early harvest (82.67 days) of fruits whereas harvesting priod extended up to 163.25 days under open condition. Planting in last week of September recorded maximum number of fruits per plant (5.43). Early harvest (95.06 days) was recorded when mulched with black polyethylene. In High ranges, maximum number of fruits (8.97), yield (80.35 g), average fruit weight (8.79 g) per plant and early harvest of fruits (81.17 days) were observed in open condition. Maximum number of fruits (10.53) and highest yield (102.17 g) per plant were recorded in plants with black polyethylene mulch under open condition. In Central midlands, systems of growing had no effect on content of total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, TSS/acidity ratio. Highest total sugars (6.03%) was recorded in open condition. Time of planting and mulch had no effect on quality parameters. In High ranges, lowest acidity (0.13 %), highest TSS (11.07 0 Brix), TSS/acidity ratio (86.46) and total sugars (5.88 %) were recorded under greenhouse condition. In Central mid-lands, the overall sensory score was highest in plants in the open field which were planted in the last week of September with white mulch. However, in High ranges, the overall sensory score was highest in open filed, planted in last week of September with black polyethylene mulch. The fruits harvested from High ranges had better appearance and colour compared to fruits obtained from Central midlands.