Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is an important fruit crop and its commercial production is possible in temperate and sub-tropical
areas of the country. but varieties are available which can be cultivated
in subtropical climate. In world it is generally cultivated in the hills. Its
main center of cultivation are Nainital (district) and Dehradun in Uttar
Pradesh, Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra), Kashmir Valley, Bangalore and Kalimpong
(West Bengal). In recent years, strawberry is being cultivated successfully in
plains of Maharashtra around Pune, Nashik and Sangali towns. The strawberry is
the most widely adapted of the small fruits. Strawberries are grown throughout
Europe, in every state of the United States, as well as in Canada and South
America. The wide variation in climates within these regions and the wide
adaptation of the strawberry plant permit harvesting and marketing, the fruit
during greater part of the year.
Economic Importance of strawberry farming :
Strawberry is rich in Vitamin C and iron. Some varieties
viz. Olympus, Hood & Shuksan having high flavour and bright red colour are
suitable for ice-cream making.
Other varieties like Midway, Midland, Cardinal, Hood, Redchief and Beauty are
best for processing.
Suitable Climate and Soil for Strawberry farming :
1.
Strawberry grown best in
temperate climate. It is a short day plant, which requires exposure to about 10
days of less than 8 hours sunshine for initiation of flowering. In winter, the
plants do not make any growth and remain dormant. The exposure to low
temperature during this period helps in breaking dormancy of the plant. In
spring when the days become longer and the temperature rises. The plants
continue to grow and start flowering. The varieties grown in milder subtropical
climate do not require chilling and continue to make some growth during winter.
2.
From the standpoint of
response to length of the light period, strawberries are placed in two groups:
(1) varieties that develop flower buds during both long and short light
periods, the overbearing varieties and (2) varieties that develop flower buds
during the short light periods only, most commercial varieties.
3.
Strawberry requires a
well-drained medium loam soil, rich in organic matter. The soil should be
slightly acidic with pH from 5.7 to 6.5. At higher pH (acidic) root formation
is very poor. The presence of high calcium in the soil causes yellowing of the
leaves. In light soils and in those rich in organic matter, runner formation is
better. Strawberry should not be cultivated in the same land for a number of
years. It is preferable to plant it in green manured field. Alkaline soils and
soils infected with nematodes should not be considered for strawberry farming
and must be avoided.
Varieties of Strawberries available:
A large number of varieties are available. For the hilly areas, varieties Royal Sovereign, Srinagar and Dilpasand are suitable. Some of the introductions from California, such as Torrey, Toiga and Solana may prove even more successful. The variety found successful in Bangalore has been named Bangalore and which has performed well at Mahabaleshwar also. For the north Indian plains, Pusa Early Dwarf which has dwarf plants, large firm wedge-shaped fruits, has been recommended. Another variety with rich aroma but softer fruits is Katrain Sweet. Some of the varieties found successful in warmer parts of the U.S.A. are: Premier Florida-90, Missionary, Blackmore, Klonmore & Klondike. Some of these may prove successful for cultivation in Indian plains.
A large number of varieties are available. For the hilly areas, varieties Royal Sovereign, Srinagar and Dilpasand are suitable. Some of the introductions from California, such as Torrey, Toiga and Solana may prove even more successful. The variety found successful in Bangalore has been named Bangalore and which has performed well at Mahabaleshwar also. For the north Indian plains, Pusa Early Dwarf which has dwarf plants, large firm wedge-shaped fruits, has been recommended. Another variety with rich aroma but softer fruits is Katrain Sweet. Some of the varieties found successful in warmer parts of the U.S.A. are: Premier Florida-90, Missionary, Blackmore, Klonmore & Klondike. Some of these may prove successful for cultivation in Indian plains.
Propagation
of Strawberry Farming :
Propagation is done by means of runners that are formed after the blooming season. The plants may be allowed to set as many runners as possible but not allowed to set any fruits. All the plants with good root system should be utilised to set a new plantation. Given the best attention and care, a single plant usually produces 12 to 18 runners.
Propagation is done by means of runners that are formed after the blooming season. The plants may be allowed to set as many runners as possible but not allowed to set any fruits. All the plants with good root system should be utilised to set a new plantation. Given the best attention and care, a single plant usually produces 12 to 18 runners.
Best Planting Season for Strawberries:
The ideal time of planting runners or crowns in hilly areas is
September-October. If the planting is done too early, plants lack vigour and
result in low yield and quality of fruits. If planted very late, runners
develop in March and crops are light.
Runners are uprooted from nursery, made into bundles and planted
in the field. These can be kept in cold storage before transplanting. The
soil should be frequently irrigated to reduce water stress in the leaf.
Defoliation suppresses the plant growth, delays fruiting and reduces yield
& quality
Planting of Strawberries:
1.
In strawberry farming ,
the land for strawberry planting should be thoroughly prepared by deep
ploughing followed by harrowing. Liberal quantities of organic manure should be
incorporated in the soil before plating. Strawberry can be planted on flat
beds, in the form of hill rows or matted rows, or it can be planted on raised
beds. In irrigated areas, plantings on ridges is advised. In Mahabaleshwar, the
usual practice is to plant on raised beds 4 x 3 meters or 4 x 4 meters.
2.
In strawberry farming ,
planting distance varies according to variety & type of land. A
spacing of 30 cm. x 60 cm. is usually followed. In the model scheme, a
spacing of 30 cm. x 30 cm. with a population of 22,000 plants per acre has been
considered which was commonly observed in areas covered during a field study.
from row to row. In the hills, Transplanting is done in March-April,
September-October, but in the plains, the months of January-February may be
utilised for this purpose. At Mahabaleshwar, Tamilanadu, normally strawberry is
planted during November-December.
3.
The strawberry plants
should be set in the soil with their roots going straight down. The soil around
the plant should be firmly packed to exclude air. The growing point of the
plant should be just above the soil surface. During planting, the plants should
not be allowed to dry out and should be irrigated immediately after planting.
Plants care in Strawberry farming :
The roots of strawberry plants spread out close to the surface. Therefore, the soil should be well supplied with moisture, and hoeing should be done lightly and young plantation be kept weed free.
The roots of strawberry plants spread out close to the surface. Therefore, the soil should be well supplied with moisture, and hoeing should be done lightly and young plantation be kept weed free.
Horticultural practices in strawberry farming :
In cold climatic conditions the soil is covered with a mulch in winter to protect the roots from cold injury. The mulch keeps the fruits free from soil, reduces decay of fruits, conserves soil moisture, lowers soil temperature in hot weather, protects flowers from frost in mild climates and protects plants from freezing injury in cold climates. Several kinds of mulches are used, but the commonest one is straw mulch. The name strawberry has been derived from this fact. Black alkathine mulch is also used to cover the soil. It saves irrigation water, prevents the growth of weeds and keep the soil temperature high.
In cold climatic conditions the soil is covered with a mulch in winter to protect the roots from cold injury. The mulch keeps the fruits free from soil, reduces decay of fruits, conserves soil moisture, lowers soil temperature in hot weather, protects flowers from frost in mild climates and protects plants from freezing injury in cold climates. Several kinds of mulches are used, but the commonest one is straw mulch. The name strawberry has been derived from this fact. Black alkathine mulch is also used to cover the soil. It saves irrigation water, prevents the growth of weeds and keep the soil temperature high.
Irrigation/water supply in strawberry farming :
Strawberry being a shallow-rooted plant requires more frequent
but less amount of water in each irrigation. Excessive irrigation results
in growth of leaves and stolons at the expense of fruits & flowers and also
increases the incidence of Botrytis rot. Since strawberry is relatively
shallow-rooted, it is susceptible to conditions of drought. Planting early in
autumn allows the plants to make good vegetative growth before the onset of
winter.
However, in this case it is necessary to ensure that newly
planted runners are irrigated frequently after planting, otherwise the
mortality of the plants becomes high. During September and October, irrigation
should be given twice a week if there is no rain. It may be reduced to weekly
intervals during November. In December and January, irrigation may be given
once every fortnight. When fruiting starts, the irrigation frequency may should
again be increased. At this stage frequent irrigation gives larger fruits.
Manures and fertilisers applications in strawberry farming :
A fertilizer dose of 25-50 tonnes farmyard manure, 75-100 kg. N,
40-120 kg. P2O5, 40-80 kg. K2O/ha. may be applied according to soil type and
variety planted.
Intercultural Operations
in strawberry farming :
The field is kept weed free during the first season by harrowing
& ploughing, applying herbicides or plastic sheet. Inter-cultural
practices are continued till the straw mulch is applied.
Plant
protection measures in strawberry farming :
Pests and Diseases in Strawberry farming :
1.
Red spider mites and
cutworms are important pests of strawberry. The mites can be controlled with
0.05 per cent Monocrotophos + 0.25 per cent wetable sulphur. The cut worms must
be controlled by dusting the soil before planting with 5 per cent chloradane or
Heptachlor dust at the rate of 50 kg per hectare and mixing it thoroughly in
the soil by cultivator.
2.
The two commonest diseases
of strawberry are red stele, caused by the fungus Phytophthora fragariae and
black root rot. The remedy for the former lies by raising resistant varieties
like stelemaster and for the latter to maintain the vigour of the plants and
rotate strawberry with other crops like legume vegetables (beans, peas
etc). Strawberry also suffers from virus diseases known as yellow edge, crinkle
and dwarf. Raising of strawberry nursery in the hills helps to check these.
Strawberry also throws some chlorotic plants, which result from genetic
segregation. These should not be confused with virus affected plants and should
be rogued out.
Harvesting and Yield of Strawberry farming :
·
Strawberries are
generally harvested when half to three fourths of skin develops colour.
Depending on the weather conditions, picking is usually done on every second or
third day usually in the morning hours. Strawberries are harvested in
small trays or baskets. They should be kept in a shady place to avoid
damage due to excessive heat in the open field.The fruit ripens during late
February to April in the plains and during May and June at high elevations like
Mahabaleshwar, Nainital and Kashmir. For local market the fruit should be
harvested when fully ripe, but for transport to distant markets, it should be
harvested when still firm and before colour has developed fully all over the
fruit.
·
Harvesting should be
done preferably daily. Since fruit is highly perishable, it is packed in flat
shallow containers of various types (cardboard, bamboo, paper trays etc.) with
one or two layers of fruits. Harvesting should be done early in the morning in
dry conditions. Washing the fruit bruises it and spoils its lustre.
·
The yield of
strawberry farming varies according to season and locality. A yield of 20
to 25 tons per hectare is excellent, though yields up to 50 tons per hectare
have been reported under ideal conditions.
·
Plants start bearing in
second year. An average yield of 45-100 quintals/ha. is obtained from a
strawberry orchard. However, an average yield of 175-300 q./ha. may be
taken from a well managed strawberry orchard.
Post Harvesting Care and Marketing :
In your strawberry farming, care should be taken as strawberries
are highly perishable and hence a great deal of care in harvesting and handling
as well as its marketing also requires to be organised very carefully.
1.
Grading : Fruits are graded on the
basis of their weight, size and colour.
2.
Storage : Fruits can be stored in
cold storage at 320C upto 10 days. For distant marketing,
strawberries should be pre-cooled at 40C within 2 hrs. of harvesting
and kept at the same temperature. After pre-cooling, they are shipped in
refrigerated vans.
3.
Packing: Packing is done
according to the grades for long distance markets. Fruits of good quality
are packed in perforated cardboard cartons with paper cuttings as cushioning
material. Fruits of lower grades are packed in baskets.
4.
Transportation : Road transport by trucks/lorries is the most convenient mode of
transport due to easy approach from orchards to the market.
Marketing : Majority of the growers sell their produce either through trade agents
at village level or commission agents at the market.
source http://www.agrifarming.in/strawberry-farming/