Influence of different growth conditions on earliness, yield and quality of strawberry production in South Kashmir

Strawberry is one of the important fruit crop of temperate region, hence its cultivation is gaining popularity in Kashmir valley. Yield and fruit quality of strawberry is influenced by a number of factors like growing environment, soil condition and cultivars. Growth and productivity of eight strawberry cultivars were studied during 2009-10 and 2010-11 growing seasons under open and polyhouse conditions at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pulwama of South Kashmir. The study was conducted to identify the suitable environment for earliness and high production of good quality fruits. Under polyhouse conditions, first flower was produced by Tioga after 107 days of planting, whereas Catskill produced after 142 days in open conditions. Chandler produced flower for long duration (46.56 days) along with maximum number of flowers, i.e. 24.15 and 28.64 under both growing conditions, while in open conditions Confutura flowered for maximum number of days, i.e. 62.53 days. Maximum yield was obtained in open conditions from Chandler (2.41 kg/plot) closely followed by Tioga (2.38 kg/plot), while under polyhouse conditions Tioga (1.63 kg/plot) yielded maximum followed by Chandler (1.62 kg/plot). Strawberry fruits were of similar quality regardless of the growing condition, however, earliness in fruiting was evident under protected condition, which also provided protection from low temperatures and in turn, making its cultivation more remunerative. Yield was more under open conditions compared to protected conditions.