Studies on micro-propagation, soilless media and plant geometry in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)
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Date
2015
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
CCSHAU
Abstract
The experiment entitled “Studies on micro-propagation, soilless media and plant geometry in
strawberry” was at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2013- 14 and 2014-15 to find
out the suitable shoot proliferation and rooting media for in vitro propagation as well as suitable
substrate, container, planting density, PVC pipe diameter and geometry to increase the growth, yield
and quality in strawberry. The runner tips were cultured on MS medium supplemented with
different concentrations of shooting (IAA, BAP and Kinetin) and rooting (IBA and NAA)
hormones for direct regeneration. MS media supplemented with 0.5 µM IAA + 2.5 µM kinetin took
minimum days for shoot proliferation (11.67 days) and produced maximum number of shoots per
culture (12.67). Application of IBA (2 mg/ l) in MS media takes minimum days (7.33) for root
initiation and ready for transplantation (20.33) with maximum number of shoots (18.67) showing root
formation. Maximum number of roots/ explant (9.33) and length of roots (6.17 cm) was also recorded
in MS + IBA (2 mg/l) followed by MS + IBA (1 mg/l) media. The rooted plants transferred in cocopeat
+ perlite + vermicompost (3:1:1) showed maximum transplanting success (94.33%) while minimum
from S6 (63.00%).
All combinations of soilless substrates significantly improved the growth, yield and quality in
strawberry in comparison to the soil cultivation. The substrate combination S2 (3:1:1, cocopeat + perlite
+ vermicompost) was found superior among all treatments with respect to growth and yield, whereas
better quality fruits was obtained from S
6 (4:1:2, cocopeat + perlite + vermicompost). The plants grown
in PVC pots produced better gro wth, while the plants grown in earthen pots produced earliest flowering
(78.97 days, 79.53 days), maximum yield (299.02 g and 325.79 g) per plant and better quality fruits
during 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively. Plants grown in the large size (25 cm × 25 cm) containers
recorded higher growth and yield than small size containers, whereas, better quality fruits were
obtained from small size (15 cm × 15 cm) containers.
In all planting density, the plants grown at D3 (20 plants/ m
2
) proved its superiority for growth
and yield characteristics in strawberry, whereas, better quality fruits were observed at 24 plants/ m
2
(D4). The maximum crown diameter (15.33 mm and 17.08 mm) was observed from lowest planting
density and the minimum crown diameter (12.79 mm and 13.26 mm) was recorded from D
5 (28 plants/
m
2
) with A-shape growing system. The earliest flowering (81.40 days and 73.00 days) was observed at
higher planting density. The plants grown in 90 mm PVC pipe produce maximum number of leaves
(9.08 and 12.47), plant height (13.66 cm and 14.36 cm), plant spread (23.76 cm and 25.25 cm), crown
diameter (14.72 mm and 15.99 mm), number of flowers (22.85 and 24.27), size of primary flower
(34.50 mm and 35.10 mm), number of fruits (18.37 and 18.39), average fruit weight (13.57 g and 14.02
g) and yield per plant (250.16 g and 258.08 g), while earliest flowering (85.23 days and 85.67 days),
highest TSS (7.97% and 7.72%), total sugar (6.56% and 6.38%), reducing sugars (5.44% and 5.27%)
and acidic fruits (0.82% and 0.78%) were harvested from 75 mm PVC pipes during 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively.
Description
Keywords
Containers, micro-propagation, Planting density, Soilless Substrates, Strawberry