Effect of phosphorous in combination with biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality of strawberry cv. Winter Dawn

Aim: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of biofertilizers in combination with phosphorus rates on growth, yield and quality of strawberry. Methodology: The experiment was conducted during the year 2017-18 and 2018-19 at hi-tech greenhouse of the Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The experiment was arranged in a factorial completely randomized design with four phosphorus fertilizer rates (0, 80, 100 and 120% RDP per plant) and three biofertilizers (control, VAM and PSB) at five replicates. Growth and yield parameter were estimated. Quality traits, viz., TSS, acidity, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and juice content of fruits were also measured at maturity stages. Results: All the possible combinations of phosphorous and biofertilizers were found to have significant influence on the vegetative growth, yield and quality parameters of strawberry. The minimum number of days taken to first flowering, maximum fruit weight, size and fruit yield per plant were recorded with 100% RDP along with VAM. TSS and ascorbic acid were noted maximum with combined application of 120% RDP and biofertilizers. Interpretation: VAM and PSB inoculation in combination with 100 percent recommended dose of phosphorous showed maximum vegetative growth, yield and quality of strawberry as compared to non-biofertilizer inoculation.