Effect of Pusa hydrogel and plant growth regulators on water use efficiency in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa duch.) cv. Chandler

Introduction: Hydrogels are water-absorbing polymers capable of retaining and gradually releasing large quantities of water, making them particularly useful in drought-prone and sandy soils. Pusa Hydrogel, developed by ICAR-IARI, helps conserve soil moisture, reduce nutrient leaching, and improve crop performance under water-limited conditions. Its integration with plant growth regulators (PGRs) may further enhance growth, yield, and water use efficiency in strawberry cultivation. Aim and Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of Pusa Hydrogel on vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting, yield, fruit quality, water use efficiency, and economic returns of strawberry cv. Chandler. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during 2021-22 and 2022-23 at the Central Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Shri Durga Ji Post Graduate College, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 27 treatment combinations involving Pusa Hydrogel, Cycocel, Triacontanol, their combinations, and a control, replicated three times. Results: Significant differences in water use efficiency (WUE) were observed among treatments. The highest WUE was recorded in T20 (Triacontanol 170 ppm + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g), with values of 0.496, 0.503, and 0.500 t ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹ during 2021-22, 2022-23, and pooled analysis, respectively. T12 (Triacontanol 120 ppm + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g) ranked second. The lowest WUE was observed in T4 (Cycocel 1200 ppm). Enhanced moisture retention and efficient water utilization contributed to superior performance under hydrogel-based treatments. Conclusion: The combined application of Triacontanol (170 ppm) and Pusa Hydrogel (60 g plant⁻¹) significantly improved water use efficiency, growth, yield, fruit quality, and profitability in strawberry cv. Chandler and is recommended for commercial cultivation under Eastern Uttar Pradesh conditions.

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2021-2022 and 2022-2023 and more: T0 vs T4 vs T20Close ×

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Introduction

Hydrogels are water-absorbing polymers capable of retaining and gradually releasing large quantities of water, making them particularly useful in drought-prone and sandy soils. Pusa Hydrogel, developed by ICAR-IARI, helps conserve soil moisture, reduce nutrient leaching, and improve crop performance under water-limited conditions. Its integration with plant growth regulators (PGRs) may further enhance growth, yield, and water use efficiency in strawberry cultivation. Aim and Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of Pusa Hydrogel on vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting, yield, fruit quality, water use efficiency, and economic returns of strawberry cv.

Chandler.

Methods

A field experiment was conducted during 2021-22 and 2022-23 at the Central Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Shri Durga Ji Post Graduate College, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 27 treatment combinations involving Pusa Hydrogel, Cycocel, Triacontanol, their combinations, and a control, replicated three times.

Results

Significant differences in water use efficiency (WUE) were observed among treatments. The highest WUE was recorded in T20 (Triacontanol 170 ppm + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g), with values of 0.496, 0.503, and 0.500 t ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹ during 2021-22, 2022-23, and pooled analysis, respectively. T12 (Triacontanol 120 ppm + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g) ranked second. The lowest WUE was observed in T4 (Cycocel 1200 ppm).

Enhanced moisture retention and efficient water utilization contributed to superior performance under hydrogel-based treatments.

Conclusion

The combined application of Triacontanol (170 ppm) and Pusa Hydrogel (60 g plant⁻¹) significantly improved water use efficiency, growth, yield, fruit quality, and profitability in strawberry cv. Chandler and is recommended for commercial cultivation under Eastern Uttar Pradesh conditions. Keywords: Strawberry, pusa hydrogel, triacontanol, water use efficiency, plant growth regulators, chandler

Introduction

One promising approach involves the application of Pusa Hydrogel, a superabsorbent polymer innovated by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). This biodegradable hydrogel can retain up to 300 times its weight in water, providing a sustained moisture supply to the root zone, even under limited irrigation conditions. By improving the soil’s water-holding capacity and minimizing evaporation losses, Pusa Hydrogel helps alleviate moisture stress and enhances overall plant performance. Likewise, the application of Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) such as gibberellic acid, cycocel (chlormequat chloride), and triacontanol plays a significant role in regulating plant physiological functions.

These regulators influence flowering, fruit formation, cell elongation, and nutrient uptake, thereby leading to higher yields and better fruit quality. Although both Pusa Hydrogel and PGRs have shown individual efficacy in strawberry cultivation, there is a lack of comprehensive studies examining their combined effects. Exploring the synergistic interaction between these two inputs offers a novel opportunity to optimize strawberry production through improved plant vigor, higher yield potential, and superior fruit quality. This study is therefore timely and relevant, as it addresses two major constraints - water scarcity and low productivity - faced by strawberry growers.

The anticipated outcomes aim to guide sustainable and resource-efficient cultivation practices, leading to better economic returns for farmers and contributing to environmentally sound horticultural development. Furthermore, the findings have broader implications for advancing climate-resilient and eco-friendly fruit production systems in India and beyond. NAAS Rating (2026): 4.74 IJHFS 2026; 8(8): 59-62 Abhay Kumar Bhardwaj PhD Scholar, Department of Horticulture, Shri Durga Ji Post Graduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India Shailandra Vikram Singh Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture, Shri Durga Ji Post Graduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India Abhay Kumar Bhardwaj PhD Scholar, Department of Horticulture, Shri Durga Ji Post Graduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India https://www.hortijournal.com hydrogel and plant growth regulators on strawberry cultivation under Eastern U.P.'s agro-climatic conditions. Observations to be recorded Water use efficiency Treatment detail

Materials And Methods

The present investigation titled “Effect of Pusa Hydrogel and Plant Growth Regulators on Growth, Yield and Quality Parameters of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Chandler” was conducted during 2021-22 and 2022-23 at the Research Field of the Department of Horticulture, Shri Durga Ji Post Graduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of Duch.) cv. Chandler.

The experimental details are given below. Effect of pusa hydrogel and plant growth regulators on water use efficiency The effect of different treatments (Pusa Hydrogel, Cycocel, and Triacontanol) was assessed in terms of water use efficiency, calculated as the ratio of yield obtained in a particular treatment to the total depth of water applied. As shown in Table 1, significant differences among treatments were observed in the first year, second year, and pooled data. The maximum water use efficiency - 0.496, 0.503, and 0.500 t ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹ in 2021-22, 2022-23, and pooled data, respectively - was recorded in T20 (Triacontanol 170 ppm + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g), followed by T12 (Triacontanol 120 ppm + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g) with values of 0.448, 0.493, and 0.470 t ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹, respectively, which was statistically at par with T20.

Treatment	2021-2022	2022-2023	Pooled
T0	0.355	0.288	0.321
T1	0.337	0.286	0.312
T2	0.336	0.279	0.308
T3	0.430	0.305	0.367
T4	0.269	0.239	0.254
T5	0.358	0.290	0.324
T6	0.365	0.275	0.320
T7	0.346	0.281	0.314
T8	0.354	0.287	0.321
T9	0.442	0.278	0.360
T10	0.351	0.268	0.310
T11	0.368	0.284	0.326
T12	0.448	0.493	0.470
T13	0.340	0.289	0.314
T14	0.423	0.296	0.359
T15	0.371	0.312	0.342
T16	0.290	0.286	0.288
T17	0.431	0.299	0.365
T18	0.343	0.266	0.305
T19	0.372	0.317	0.344
T20	0.496	0.503	0.500
T21	0.435	0.277	0.356
T22	0.377	0.310	0.344
T23	0.337	0.261	0.299
T24	0.355	0.255	0.305
T25	0.435	0.321	0.378
T26	0.303	0.266	0.285
F Test	S	S	S
C.D.@ 5%	0.039	0.061	0.742
S.Ed	0.021	0.45	0.56

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Effect of Pusa Hydrogel and Plant Growth Regulators on Water Use Efficiency (t ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹) of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa

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The minimum water use efficiency - 0.269, 0.239, and 0.254 t ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹, respectively - was recorded in T4 (Cycocel 1200 ppm). Notation Treatment Details T0 Control T1 Pusa Hydrogel - 30 g T2 Pusa Hydrogel - 60 g T3 Cycocel (600 ppm) T4 Cycocel (1200 ppm) T5 Triacontanol (120 ppm) T6 Triacontanol (170 ppm) T7 Cycocel (600 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 30 g T8 Cycocel (600 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g T9 Cycocel (1200 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 30 g T10 Cycocel (1200 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g T11 Triacontanol (120 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 30 g T12 Triacontanol (120 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g T13 Triacontanol (120 ppm) + Cycocel (600 ppm) T14 Triacontanol (120 ppm) + Cycocel (600 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 30 g T15 Triacontanol (120 ppm) + Cycocel (600 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g T16 Triacontanol (120 ppm) + Cycocel (1200 ppm) T17 Triacontanol (120 ppm) + Cycocel (1200 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 30 g T18 Triacontanol (120 ppm) + Cycocel (1200 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g T19 Triacontanol (170 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 30 g T20 Triacontanol (170 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g T21 Triacontanol (170 ppm) + Cycocel (600 ppm) T22 Triacontanol (170 ppm) + Cycocel (600 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 30 g T23 Triacontanol (170 ppm) + Cycocel (600 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g T24 Triacontanol (170 ppm) + Cycocel (1200 ppm) T25 Triacontanol (170 ppm) + Cycocel (1200 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 30 g T26 Triacontanol (170 ppm) + Cycocel (1200 ppm) + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g Calculation of water use efficiency Water use efficiency (WUE) was calculated as the ratio of fruit yield to the total quantity of water applied, using the formula: WUE (t ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹) = Fruit yield (t ha⁻¹) ÷ Total water applied (cm)

Results And Discussion

The results of the studies on the “Effect of Pusa Hydrogel and Plant Growth Regulators on Vegetative Growth, Fruit Yield and Quality of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Chandler” are briefly described hereunder. Two field experiments were carried out during 2021-22 and 2022-23 at the Research Field, Department of Horticulture, Shri Durga Ji Post Graduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh (U.P.). This study was undertaken to examine the influence of Pusa Hydrogel and plant growth regulators on water use efficiency of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa https://www.hortijournal.com Table 1: Effect of Pusa Hydrogel and Plant Growth Regulators on Water Use Efficiency (t ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹) of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv.

Chandler Indian Horticulture. 2013;58(4):18-21. 3. Dorraji SS, Golchin A, Ahmadi S. The effects of hydrophilic polymer and soil salinity on corn growth in sandy and loamy soils. Clean - Soil, Air, Water. 2010;38(7):584-591. 4.

Kumar R, Kumar A, Meena RL. Effect of hydrogel on growth and survival of aonla (Emblica officinalis) under arid conditions. Progressive Horticulture. 2014;46(1):91-95. 5. Vyas SP, Patel BM, Sharma HG.

Influence of super absorbent polymer on growth and yield of guava (Psidium guajava L.). International Journal of Chemical Studies. 2017;5(5):1223-1226. 6. Rao KVR, Reddy KMC, Reddy PS. Effect of hydrogel on growth, yield and water use efficiency in mango orchards.

Journal of Horticultural Sciences. 2016;11(2):137-142. 7. Saxena A, Singh D, Singh RK. Impact of Pusa Hydrogel on soil moisture conservation and growth of citrus under semi-arid conditions. Journal of Applied and Natural Science. 2018;10(2):613-618. 8.

ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute. Pusa Treatment 2021-2022 2022-2023 Pooled T0 0.355 0.288 0.321 T1 0.337 0.286 0.312 T2 0.336 0.279 0.308 T3 0.430 0.305 0.367 T4 0.269 0.239 0.254 T5 0.358 0.290 0.324 T6 0.365 0.275 0.320 T7 0.346 0.281 0.314 T8 0.354 0.287 0.321 T9 0.442 0.278 0.360 T10 0.351 0.268 0.310 T11 0.368 0.284 0.326 T12 0.448 0.493 0.470 T13 0.340 0.289 0.314 T14 0.423 0.296 0.359 T15 0.371 0.312 0.342 T16 0.290 0.286 0.288 T17 0.431 0.299 0.365 T18 0.343 0.266 0.305 T19 0.372 0.317 0.344 T20 0.496 0.503 0.500 T21 0.435 0.277 0.356 T22 0.377 0.310 0.344 T23 0.337 0.261 0.299 T24 0.355 0.255 0.305 T25 0.435 0.321 0.378 T26 0.303 0.266 0.285 F Test S S S C.D.@ 5% 0.039 0.061 0.742 S.Ed 0.021 0.45 0.56

Conclusion

The present investigation clearly demonstrated that the application of Pusa Hydrogel and Plant Growth Regulators significantly influenced the growth, flowering, fruiting, yield, quality, and economics of strawberry cv. Chandler. Among all treatment combinations, T20 (Triacontanol 170 ppm + Pusa Hydrogel 60 g) proved to be the most effective, producing the maximum water use efficiency in strawberry. The synergistic effect of Triacontanol and Pusa Hydrogel enhanced moisture availability, nutrient uptake, and physiological activities, resulting in improved crop performance.

Therefore, the combined application of Triacontanol at 170 ppm and Pusa Hydrogel at 60 g per plant is recommended for commercial cultivation of strawberry cv. Chandler to achieve higher productivity, better fruit quality, and maximum profitability under the agro-climatic conditions of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Competing interests Authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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