Course No: FSC-502

Course Title: Subtropical and Temperate Fruit production

Pradeep Kumar VishwakarmaM.Sc. (Horti.) Fruit science,

IInd SemesterREG. NO: 04-2691-2015

Dr. M. J.PATELAssoc. Professor

Department of Horticulture , B.A.C.A.,A.A.U.,Anand-388 110

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Production technology of Strawberry

IntroductionStrawberry is an attractive, luscious tasty and nutritious fruit

with a distinct and pleasant aroma, and delicate flavour. It has a unique place among cultivated berry fruit It is an man made hybrid. Some important points related to strawberry are as follows.

Monoecious, short day, low perennial herb and quick growing fruit plant

Suitable for kitchen garden Rich in vit.- c and iron Flavour is due to Ethyle butanoate and Ethyle hexanoate First fruit crop micro-propagation studied Flowers are borne in small cluster and white in colour Type of inflorescence : Dichotomic raceme Type of fruit : Etaerio of achenes Type of pollination : both self and cross Major pollinator : Honey bee Edible portion : Succulent thalamus Chromosome no.(2n) = 56 (8x)

Scientific Classification Strawberry

Kingdom: Plantae

Order Rosales

Family Rosaceae

Sub-family Rosoidae

Genus Fragaria

Species ananasa

Botanical Name Fragaria ananasa

Fragaria ananasa Fragaria chilonensis X

Fragaria virginiana

Origin France (Man made hybrid)

Uses:The fruit is widely appreciated for

its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness.

One cup (144 g) of strawberries contains approximately 45 calories (188 kJ) and is an excellent source of vitamin C and flavonoids.

It is consumed in large quantities, either fresh or in prepared foods such as preserves, fruit juice, pies, ice creams, and milkshakes. Artificial strawberry aroma is also widely used in many industrialized food products.

Nutritional Benefits:Good source of Folic AcidGood for women’s health,

reduces birth defectsPotassium maintains fluids,

promotes faster healingDietary fiber and vitamin-c

supports immune system, adds growth

Manganese and calcium bone formation, hormone function

Area & Production Strawberry is cultivated in Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,

Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan. Sub-tropical areas in Jammu have also the potential to grow the crop under irrigated condition.

In India it is generally cultivated in the hills. Its main centres of cultivation are Nainital (district) and

Dehradun in Uttar Pradesh, Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra), Kashmir Valley, Bangalore and Kalimpong (West Bengal).

In recent years, strawberry is being cultivated successfully in plains of Maharashtra around Pune,Nashik and Sangali towns.

India’s 400-500-tonns strawberry export is likely to dip this year as production has been affected.

Total area is 0.21 ‘000 Ha. and production is 1.61 ‘000 MT in India during the year 2013-14. (Source NHB database 2014)

Cultivars:Three types of strawberries are available:

June bearers which fruit once each season. Day neutrals that fruit several times each season. Ever bearers that despite their name, fruit twice each

season.   Varieties Cultivated: Important strawberry varieties cultivated in India

are Chandler, Tioga, Torrey, Selva, Belrubi, Fern and Pajaro. Other varieties include Premier, Red cost, Local Jeolikot, Dilpasand, Bangalore, Florida 90, Katrain Sweet, Pusa Early Dwarf & Blakemore.

ChandlerFruit is of exceptionally high dessert

quality with outstanding color and flavour.  It is very resistant to physical damages caused by rain.  Plants are tolerant to viruses.  Fruits are large, flesh and skin firm and flavour excellent.  It is suitable for fresh market and processing.  On an average, berry weights 15-18 g.  The fruits have good TSS (12%), acidity (0.85%), vitamin C (55.5mg/100g) and sugar content (6.1%).   Tioga

An early –maturing cultivar, it is tolerant to viruses.  Fruits very large, flesh and skin firm, dessert and processing quality good, TSS 12.2%, acidity 0.98% and sugar 6.2%.  Average berry weights about 9g. 

TorreyTolerant to viruses, it produces

numerous runners.  Fruits large, flesh and skin medium firm, dessert quality excellent, processing quality good, TSS 12.0%, acidity 0.97% and sugars 6.1%.  Average berry weights 6.9g. Selva

A day-neutral cultivar, it has the capacity to produce off-season fruits.  It is different from day-neutral or ever bearing types.  Fruits large, flesh and skin firm, conic to blocky in shape, dessert quality good.  It can be handled and shipped fairly well.  Skin bright red, attractive, flesh red, internally somewhat hollow, light in color at core, average berry weighs 15-18g, TSS 11.1%, acidity 1.0% and sugar 5.5%. 

BelrubiFruits large, conical (necked fruit),

skin bright red, flesh attractive red, somewhat firm, less hollow at core, high quality, sweet, slightly subacid, average berry weight 15 g, TSS 11.8%, acidity 0.98%, sugars 6%.  Plant produces adequate runners.    Fern

It is a day-neutral, early-ripening and over-bearing cultivar.  Fruits large, medium, conical, solid internally, slightly hollow, skin red, flesh red, firm, flavour excellent, suitable for fresh market and processing.  It tastes sweet to slightly sub acid.  Average berry weight 20-25g, TSS 11.2%, acidity 0.98% and sugars 6.1%.

 PajaroIt is very successful under

summer system.  Plant tolerant to virus.  Fruit has good dessert and processing quality.  Fruit is quite susceptible to physical damage caused by rain.  Fruits large flesh very firm, skin firm, red color, average berry weighs 7.6g, TSS 12.2%, acidity 0.97% and sugars 5.5%.

Besides these Premier, Red Coat, Local, Jeolikot, Dilpasand, Bangalore, Florida 90, Katrain Sweet, Pusa Early Dwarf and Blakemore are also grown. 

Propagation:Runners - most common

methodUse those formed after

bloomingBut runners hard to find in

semi-arid regionsSeeds & stem cuttingsImportant to buy disease-

free plants from reliable nursery

Time of planting:In the hills transplanting

is done in March-April, September-October.

The plains, the months of January-February may be utilised for this purpose.

At Maharashtra normally strawberry is planted during November-December.

Climate:Strawberry grows well under temperate climate. Some cultivars

can be grown in sub-tropical climate. Daylight period of 12 hrs. or less and moderate temperature are important for flower-bud formation. Each cultivar has a different day length and temperature requirement. Choose an area at the very least, 6 hours of sunlight daily.

Soil :Well-drained.High in organic matter.Sandy loam to loamy soil Slightly acidic for root formation - 5.7 to 6.5 pH. Green manure.However, the plant is fairly adaptable.Strawberry plants are highly sensitive to salt. Too much salt in your

soil can cause “leaf scorch,”

Soil Preparation: Start 1 month before

planting. Use as much organic

matter as possible. Create beds - hill or matted

rows, or raised for better drainage.

Apply fertilizer a few days before planting.

Spacing:Planting distance varies

according to variety & type of land. A spacing of 30 cm. x 60 cm. is usually followed. In the model scheme, a spacing of 30 cm. x 30 cm. with a population of 22,000 plants per acre has been considered which was commonly observed in areas covered during a field study.

  Irrigation:Strawberry being a shallow-

rooted plant requires more frequent but less amount of water in each irrigation

First two months - Twice per week without rain

Third month - WeeklyFourth and fifth months -

Every two weeksFruiting begins - Increase

again for larger fruits

Nutrition:A fertilizer dose of 25-50 tonnes farmyard manure, 75-100 kg. N, 40-120 kg. P2O5, 40-80 kg. K2O/ha. may be applied according to soil type and variety planted.

State FYM

(Tonnes/Ha.)

N

(kg/ha.)

P

(kg/ha.)

K

(kg/ha.)

Himanchal Pradesh 50 80 40 40

Uttarakhand 25-37.5 75-100 80-120 50-80

Note: FYM are mix the soil at preparation of planting bed Half dose of K2O and full dose of P2O5 are placed in the planting rows at 15-

20 cm depth Half N is should be broadcast in inter-row spaces one month after planting Remaining N and K2O should be sidedressed at the time of flowering Foliar spraying of N @ 0.5%, P2O5 @ 0.2% and K2O @ 0.5%, 4times

between August and February is also advised

Training system:There are 4 training system – matted row, spaced row, hill

and plastic mulch. Generally matted row system is followed in our country.Matted row:

This is simplest and least expensive method. The runners are usually planted at 90cm X 45cm spacing. After the initial growth of the first year, runners are allowed to cover the vacant space all around the mother plants ultimately covering the whole vacant space and giving the appearance of the mat.

Spaced row:This system is suitable for cultivars that are moderate to

weak in producing runners. The daughter plants are spaced at definite distances by covering the selected tips of runners with soil which become plants. This is done till the desired number of daughter plants are obtained for each mother plant. The runners formed later on are removed.

Hill system:

This system is followed for the cultivars developing a few runners. All runners are removed from the mother plant. The individual plants become large and bear more than those in matted row. The plants are planted 25-30cm apart in twin rows and 100-110cm spacing between twin rows. A small tractor can use for tillage. Where cultivation done manually, the rows can be spaced closer at 60cm. in some cases triple rows are set.

Plastic film:Green or black plastic film is used as a mulch for the

hill system to control weed and conserve moisture, but on hot days some scalding of berries take place. In this system berries are kept clean and reduced the rot and mold. The plants bloom earlier. These prone to damage by frost.

Aftercare: Flower stem should be removed as they appear on plant after planting. If not removed, flowers create a drain on the plant, reducing their vitality, number and size of daughter plant In Hill system, runners should be cut as and when they appear. With matted row system surplus plant should be removed from outside the rows during late summer and autumn Keep the crop weed-free during first season by cultivating, applying herbicides or plastic mulch It should be ensured that soil remains around the crown without covering them

Mulching:Mulching is an important operation in strawberry cultivation. Mulching should

be done just after planting (before start their growth) for checking weed growth and conserving moisture in the soil. Fruit rotting is also reduced by inorganic mulch. It is two types:1. Inorganic mulch – Black plastic film (widely used) and green plastic film.2. Organic mulch – leaves, wheat and paddy straw, news paper and dry grasses etc.

Harvesting:Fruiting happens after 3 to 4 monthsLook for 1/2 to 3/4 berries having

natural crimson colorSlightly soft darkening seedsHarvest daily, early morning, dry

conditionsPinch between thumb and forefinger,

pull with twisting motion, leave stem on fruit.

Yields:Varies with season and

locality. Generally it is 20-25 tonnes per hectare.

StorageStrawberry is highly perishable commodity so this can store for maximum 7-10 days at 0.C and 90-95 RH.

Insect & Pests: Strawberry Root Weevil – The weevils themselves cause mainly cosmetic damage until

mid-summer when they lay their eggs in the soil around the plants.

– The best organic solution may be Diatomaceous Earth (DE).

Strawberry Sap Beetles– Strawberry Sap Beetles prefer to eat over-ripe strawberries.

These are also known as “picnic” beetles.– The easiest way to prevent an infestation of this beetle is to

not allow your berries to get over-ripe.

Leaf spots• Leaf spots are a very common problem in

strawberry plants.• The best cure is to plant resistant varieties in

your patch.  Anthracnose• Anthracnose is a hot, humid climate disease .• Planting resistant varieties and watering in the

a.m. can help prevent this malady. Because it’s caused by splashing water, mulch has been noted to help reduce anthracnose by reducing splashing of infected water.

  Red scale• Red scale is a soil-borne fungus that attacks

the roots of strawberry plants. • Planting resistant varieties is the best

preventative measure against this ailment. Also, planting in soil that drains well.

Verticillium Wilt• Wilt often strikes the first year your

berries are planted.• Planting resistant varieties in areas where

it has been a problem has been successful. Black Root Rot• Black Root Rot is caused by water-

logged, poorly draining soil, freezing, or nematodes, or a combination of any of these.

• Obviously, in the list above, avoiding poorly draining clayish soil would be a good start. Adding organic matter to the soil would also be effective.

THANK

YOU