Effects of planting media and fertilizer composition on growth, yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at the Landscape Section of the Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from October 2019 to April 2020 to study the effects of planting media and fertilizer composition on growth, yield and quality of strawberry. It was plotted in Split Plot Design with three replications. The experiment was consisted of two factors such as Factor A: M1= planting in gunny bags, M2 = planting in polybags, Factor B: five fertilizers composition treatments viz. T0: 0% (no fertilizers), T1: 25% (0.94 g/plant Urea + 1.25 g/plant TSP + 1.25 g/plant MoP), T2: 50% (1.87 g/plant Urea + 2.5 g/plant TSP + 2.5 g/plant MoP), T3: 75% (2.82 g/plant Urea + 3.75 g/plant TSP + 3.75 g/plant MoP) and T4: 100% (3.75 g/plant Urea + 5 g/plant TSP + 5 g/plant MoP) of N, P and K. All the parameters under study showed significant variations. Results showed that higher fruit length (3.83 cm) and diameter (2.54 cm), fruit weight per plant (190.08 g), yield (12.80 ton/ha) and TSS (7.44%) were found from planting of strawberry in polybags (M2) in compared to planting in gunny bags (M1). In relation to fertilizers composition higher fruit length (4.27 cm) and diameter (3.21 cm), total fruit weight per plant (216.79 g), fruit yield (16.35 t/ha) and TSS (8.10%) were recorded from mixed application of 100% fertilizer (4.75 g/plant Urea + 5 g/plant TSP + 5 g/plant MoP) of N, P, and K while the lower value was obtained from control. Among the treatment combination, the highest fruit length (4.13 cm) and diameter (3.09 cm), fruit weight per plant (199.57 g), fruit yield (17.50 t/ha) and TSS (8.17%) were found from planting of strawberry in polybags along with 100% (3.75 g/plant Urea + 5 g/plant TSP + 5 g/plant MoP) of N, P, and K.