Studies on the Effect of Growth Regulator and Vermicompost on Growth and Yield of Different Cultivars of Strawberry (Fragaria X Ananassa Duch)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at the Horticulture Research Center ' of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut during 2013-2014. The experimental material comprised of five varieties of strawberry namely Chandler, Gorella, Selva. Douglas and Confictura were introduced from Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni Himachal Pradesh. Vermicompost was added in the plots 1.5x2m size @1 kg/sqm and 2kg/sqm accordingly with the design of the treatments as basal dose during time of field preparation. Gibberelic acid @ 25, 50and 1 OOppm solution were sprayed during first week of February on strawberry plants. The characters under study were plant height (em), leaves per plant, leaf area, time of fruit setting, time of fruit harvesting, runner production, fruits per plant, fru it yield, fruit weight (g), fruit length (em), fruit width (em), TSS ( 0 brix). The data were subjected to statistical analysis in order to find out the extent of variability among the varieties, performance of vermicompost, Gibberellic acid and their interaction. The maximum plant height and leaf area were recorded in the variety Gorella which was followed by Confictura, Douglas and Selva. The maximum leaves per plant (18.23) were recorded in the variety Selva which was followed by Confictura, Gorella and Douglas. Variety Confictura and Douglas responded similar effect on number of leaves per plant i.e. 20.66 with the spray of Gibberellic acid (GA3) 1 OOppm and application of Vermicompost@100q/ha. Maximum leaf area (107.81) was recorded in the variety Gorella Selva which was followed by Confictura, Selva and Douglas. The minimum leaf area (98.42) was recorded in variety Chandler. The maximum fruit setting period (6.95 days) was recorded in the variety Chandler which was followed by Gorella, Confictura and Selva. The minimum time (5.57days) taken by Douglas variety. Confictura responded maximum effect on harvesting of fruits i.e., 80.00 days with the spray of Gibberellic acid (GA3) 1 OOppm and application of Vermicompost@1 OOq/ha as basal dose during time of field preparation which was followed by Chandler, Douglas and Selva. The maximum fruits (20.85) were recorded in the variety Chandler which was significantly superior to the rest of the varieties and followed by Gorella, Selva and Confictura. Application of Gibberellic acid {G~) 1 OOppm + Vermicompost@1 OOq/ha was found to be the best treatment in response to runner production among different varieties of strawberry and recorded 15.53. Maximum disease incidence {25.33 %) was recorded in the va.riety Selvawhich was statistically significant to the rest varieties and followed by Douglas, Confictura and Gorella. The minimum incidence {15.00%) was observed in variety Chandler.The maximum fruit yield per plant (385.57g) was recorded in the variety Chandler which was superior to the rest of the varieties and was followed by Selva, Confictura and Douglas. The minimum fruit yield per plant {177.79g) was noted in Gorella variety.The maximum fruit weight {18.41 g) was recorded in the variety Chandler which was significantly superior to the rest and followed by Confictura, Selva and Douglas. Application of Gibberellic acid {GA3) 100ppm + Vermicompost@100q/ha was found to be the best treatment in response to fruit weight among different varieties of strawberry and recorded 16.48g. The maximum fruit yield {171 .36q/ha) was recorded in the variety Chandler which was significantly superior to the rest and was followed by Selva, Confictura and Douglas; however, Selva and Confictura were statistically at par to each other. Variety Chandler responded maximum effect on fruit yield per hectare i.e. 205.357q/ha with the spray of Gibberellic acid {GA3) 1 OOppm and application of Vermicompost@1 OOq/ha. The maximum total soluble soilds {1 0.68°Brix) was recorded in the variety Douglas which was superior to the rest and was followed by Confictura, Selva and Gorella. The minimum TSS value {9.41°Brix) was noted in Chandler variety. Variety Douglas responded maximum effect on TSS value i.e. 11.50°8rix with the spray of Gibberellic acid {GA3) 100ppm and application of Vermicompost@100q/ha as basal dose which was statistically significant to other treatments and followed by Confictura, Selva and Gorella. For selection and improvement in yield, emphasis may be given to the characters like plant height, leaves per plant, time of flowering, time of fruit setting fruit harvesting, fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width and TSS value. So, Confictura, Chandler and selvawere found promising for commercial ultivation., however, Gorella was found to be earliest among all.