STRAWBERRY
(Fragaria X ananassa Duch.)
Strawberry is one of the most popular soft fruit.
Among the fruits, strawberry gives
the quickest returns in the shortest possible time. It is
rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals
like P, K, Ca and Fe and best natural sources of
antioxidant.
Cultivars
Suitable varieties for the region are Festival,
Ofra, Camarosa and Sweet CharIie.
Soil and Climate
It prefers soil reasonably rich in humus, because 70-90 % of its roots are found in the
top 15 cm soil. Strawberry should not be grown in the soil previously devoted to potato,
tomato, brinjal and pepper. Strawberry grows well under subtropical to temperate climate.
Propagation
Strawberry is propagated through runners. Although runner produces true to type
plant, but viral diseases are quite often transmitted through runners only. Thus, for runner
production, a separate bed should be used. The site and soil where the strawberry had not
been grown for at least 3-4 years should be selected. The planting should be done at 1.2 x 1.2
m distance. Rate of runner production can be enhanced by GA3 (40mglL of water) spraying
at the end of the fruiting. The runners are lifted during September-October for greater survival
in the field.
Land preparation and planting
FYM or other bulky manures should not be ploughed too deep. Soil fumigation with
Methyl bromide (67%) or Chloropicrin (33%) prior to planting can check the nematodes,
verticillium wilt and even some weeds.
The outer leaves should be striped and soils of the roots of the runner should be
washed. Set the plant at the correct depth and pack the soil firmly around the roots.
Planting in October- November is best time. Runners are set 20-25 cm apart in twin
rows, 30-35 cm apart and distance of 90-120 cm is kept between twin rows.
Irrigation
Frequent irrigation rather than a few heavy ones favors the crop. Avoid excess irrigation,
to minimize the amount of water required and to get quality fruits trickle/drip irrigation system
is best.
Manure and Fertilizer
For annual cropping 70-80 t/ha FYM may fulfill the nutritional requirement. 100:60:
140kNPKlha in three split dose is recommended. In addition, foliar application of Urea (2%), Zinc
sulphate (0.5%), Calcium sulphate (0.5%) and Boric acid (0.2%) is beneficial for higher and better yields.
Mulching
The commonly used mulch materials include paddy straw and black polythene gives
good weed control, advances early cropping, increases total yield and save the fruit from
rotting.
Insect/Pests
White grubs and cut worms: Cut the root and stem of young plants. Deep ploughing
and drench the soil with Chlorpyriphos@ 2ml1L water.
Hairy caterpillar: Defoliate leaves during June-July. Spraying of En dosui phon 0.05lk
or Malathion 0.05 % controls the pest. Fruits should be harvested at 7-10 days after spray.
Root weevil: Feed on the rootlets, make deep tunnels in the crown base and finally
the plants collapse. Application of Carbofuran (6-10 kg/ha) and Parathion (0.0 l7 %) around
the plants reduces the infestation.
Diseases
Verticillium wilt: The older leaves turn brown and shrivelled and finally plants may
die. The proper crop rotation should follow besides soil fumigation with Formalin (5000 L/ha)
or Chloropicrin (210 L/ha).
Red stele: The fungus enters the central parts of the root and plant shows dull, bluish
green colour, which soon wilt and may die in few days. Improved drainage, ridge planting.
crop rotation and use of resistant varieties are important cultural techniques to reduce the
incidence. Soil drenching with Ridomiland treatment of planting materials before planting
with Bordeaux mixture (1 %) or Copper oxychloride (0.1 %) for 15-20 minutes is very essential.
Leaf spot complex: Spot of different shapes and sizes appears on the leaves during
rainy season, which results in drying and defoliation. Give 2-3 sprays of Hexaconazole(100
ml/100L water) or 5 sprays of Carbendazim(100g/200L water) at 21 days intervals.
Viral diseases: Stunting of plants and marginal yellowing and upwards curling of
young leaves. Use of virus free runners, isolation of infected plants and control of aphid
vectors with systematic insecticides and use of virus vector tolerant cultivars.
Harvesting
Fruits for local market should be picked at the pink or three-fourths colored stage. The
fruit after picking should be directly kept into the crates in which it is to be marketed. Pick
berries with the caps (or calyx) or pick special stem grade fruit by picking the stem one to
two inches from the calyx.
Packaging
The strawberries are packed in plastic punnets and are placed in the corrugated fiber
trays or ventilated cardboard boxes. The punnets filled trays should be kept in shade or
shelter to reduce the water loss. Strawberry should be stored at SOC or below; if fruit is
supposed to keep for more than one day, it should be stored at OOC.
