A study on the impact of INM on yield and quality parameter of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) cv. sweet Charlie under protected cultivation

Introduction

The strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), a member of the Rosaceae family,is a delicious fruit crop known for its bright color, taste and aroma.It is rich in Vitamin C, minerals, and antioxidants, making it an important source of human nutrition. (Kumar et al., 2018) [6] . In India strawberry cultivation is increasing rapidly along with Maharashtra With increasing demand and health awareness, Its cultivation is growing in India. However, Higher dependency on chemical fertilizers harms the soil and enviormental economy. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) involves the use of both organic and inorganic nutrients along with biofertilizers The cultivation of strawberries is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in regions such as Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, attributed to the higher economic returns per unit area. To achieve successful strawberry cultivation, it is crucial to manage nutrients effectively. The overuse of chemical fertilizers results in environmental pollution and degradation of soil quality (Chadha et al., 2018) [1] . Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) represents an environmentally friendly approach that integrates chemical fertilizers, organic manures such as FYM and vermicompost, along with biofertilizers like Azotobacter and Azospirillum. This method enhances nutrient availability, promotes soil health, and boosts microbial activity. Numerous studies have indicated that INM not only promotes vegetative growth but also enhances both the yield and quality of fruits. Biofertilizers are vital for nitrogen fixation, hormone production, and enhancing disease resistance. The application of organic amendments improves the soil's water retention capacity and nutrient levels, leading to superior plant performance. Consequently, this study was undertaken to assess the effects of various INM combinations on the growth, yield, and quality of strawberries (cv. Sweet Charlie) under conditions of protected cultivation.

Material and Methods

The study was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, Rama University, Kanpur, during the Rabi season of 2024-25. Kanpur is located in central region of Uttar Pradesh which lies between 25°30"44" North latitude and 78°32"31" East longitude at an elevation of 285 meters above mean sea level. The experimental design employed was Randomized Block Design (RBD) featuring three replications and nine treatments. The strawberry variety utilized for this research was Sweet Charlie. Each treatment plot comprised 16 plants with a spacing of 30 × 25 cm on raised beds within a polyhouse. Before transplanting the raised beds are covered with black polysheets to conserve moisture. And planting material of strawberry sweet Charlie were purchased from a private organization Pune by Amazon.

Replication 3 Plot size 2.0×1.2 m Plant Population 240 plants (10 per treatment and 3 Replication)

The treatment combinations included T0: Control T1: Recommended dose of NPK T2: Azotobacter (100%) T3: Azospirillum (100%) T4: FYM @ 20 t/ha T5: Azotobacter (50%) + Azospirillum (50%) T6: Azotobacter (100%) + NPK (50%) T7: Azospirillum (100%) + NPK (50%) T8: Azotobacter (50%) + Azospirillum (50%) + NPK (50%) Observations were made on various growth parameters at 30,60,90,120 days after planting growth characters (plant height, spread, number of leaves, leaf area), yield parameters (fruit number, average fruit weight, yield/plant), and quality parameters (TSS, acidity, and ascorbic acid content). The data gathered were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 5% significance level.

Results and Discussion

The findings revealed notable variations among the treatments concerning all growth, yield, and quality traits. T 8 (Azotobacter 50% + Azospirillum 50% + NPK 50%) surpassed all other treatments.

Growth Parameters

At 120 days post-planting, T 8 achieved the greatest plant height (21.38 cm), followed by T 6 and T 7 . The lowest plant height (18.07 cm) was recorded in T 0 . Additionally, T 8 exhibited the largest plant spread (24.51 cm) and leaf area (118.2 cm²). The improved growth may be attributed to the balanced nutrient supply and the stimulation of plant hormones by biofertilizers. [8] , emphasizing the synergistic effects of organic and biological sources with chemical fertilizers.

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