NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF STRAWBERRY (Fragaria × anannasa Duch.) GROWING AREAS OF PAONTA VALLEY IN SIRMAUR DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
Loading...
Date
2021-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present study was undertaken during 2020-21 to evaluate nutritional status of
strawberry growing areas of Paonta valley in Sirmaur district. Soil and leaf samples were
collected from 30 strawberry growing farmers from 10 villages in Paonta valley of Sirmaur
district. The collected soil and leaf samples were analyzed for different soil properties such as
soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon and available N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S,
Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn nutrients. The leaf samples were analyzed for nutrient such as N, P, K,
Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn. The soils of different strawberry growing areas varied from
sandy loam to sandy clay loam and were slightly acidic to near neutral in soil reaction. The
soils are in safe limits of electrical conductivity (<0.8 dS m-1) along with medium soil organic
carbon. The available N content was low to medium in surface layers while the available Zn
content was medium to high in availability, whereas P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn and Cu were
high in status. The leaf nutrient status indicated that 90, 3.33, 23.33 and 6.67 per cent samples
were deficient in N, K, Mg and Mn, while 93.33, 93.30, 100 and 96.67 per cent were
sufficient in K, Mn, Cu and Zn, respectively. However, nutrient status of leaf P, Ca, Mg, S
and Fe were high in 96.67, 100, 60, 60 and 80 per cent samples. Soil organic carbon was
significant and positively correlated with N, P, S and Zn. Available N, P and S exhibited
significant and positive relationship with their respective leaf nutrient contents. On the basis
of coefficient of variation, the soil, leaf and yield properties such as the pH, N, leaf N, K, Cu
and yield are least variable, whereas, available nutrients like OC, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn
and leaf P, Ca, Fe, and Zn are moderately variable. However, electrical conductivity,
available Cu, Zn and leaf Mg, S and Mn are highly variable. Farmers were able to get 24%
higher yield and better net returns under black polyethylene mulch as compared to grass
mulch. For moderately and highly variable soil parameters, site specific nutrient management
strategies should be developed and adopted for enhancing the productivity of the crop in the
region