Development of Nutrient Uptake Model of Hydroponically Grown Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) in Greenhouse
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Date
2022
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
In present study nutrient uptake models developed for predicting the nutrient uptake of hydroponically grown strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) in greenhouse. The strawberry crop (cv. Camarosa) was grown for two consecutive years (2017-18 and 2018-19) using the nutrient film technique. The nutrient solution was supplied at three levels of Hoagland solution (T1=120%, T2=100% and T3=80%) and replicated thrice. Agronomical parameters (number of leaves, leaf area index and plant spread), fruit yield (g/plant) and fruit quality parameters were measured during the study. The plant supplied with 100% nutrient solution was found most effective to enhance the plant growth parameters viz. number of leaves, leaf area index, plant spread and also achieved higher yield (374.9 g/plant) followed by 120% and 80% of nutrient solution. The different nutrient concentration significantly influenced number of fruits/plant. Fruits quality parameters were also improved with different nutrient solution concentrations. TSS content of fruit for two successive years was maximum in T1 (9.68 and 9.62 Brixﹾ) followed by T2 (9.49 and 9.37 Brixﹾ) and T3 (8.63 and 8.56 Brixﹾ). The average plant water uptake was observed maximum in T2 (0.084 l/day) followed by T1 (0.081 l/day) and T3 (0.079 l/day). The nutrient uptake was assessed by following changes in the ion concentration of the recirculating nutrient solution. Empirical models were developed for nutrient uptake (nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium) using linear regression. The average uptake of nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium was 129.92, 15, 122.94, 112.02 and 26.97 mg/l respectively. The predicted values derived from the linear regressions were plotted over the observed values showing the strong relationship. The developed models would be helpful in managing the fertigation strategy on the basis of crop growth period. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) with and without subsidy were computed to be 1.69 and 1.39 respectively without considering runner production from the plants. The break-even point for greenhouse and NFT system was achieved after 5.8 years without any subsidy and with 50% subsidy, it was 3.27 years.
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Sharma, Pankaj (2022) Development of Nutrient Uptake Model of Hydroponically Grown Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) in Greenhouse (Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.