Effect of Different Concentration of Major and Minor Nutrients on the Growth and Yield of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa L.) Grown under Aeroponic System

Abstract

Strawberry is a perennial fruit crop of high importance in the market. It is highly recommended both as table and processed fruit due its nutrient content. The growth period of strawberry is short and hence doesn’t require much time for its growth and development. Aeroponic on the other hand seems to provide a better hand in cultivation of annual species in controlled conditions in a meticulous way. A field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom university of agriculture, technology and science, Prayagraj, U.P during the year 2022-2023. The experiment comprised of eight different treatments with one control T1(3g NPK + 16g micronutrient), T2(6g NPK+14g micronutrient) T3(9g NPK+12g micronutrient), T4(12g NPK+10g micronutrient), T5(15g NPK+8g micronutrient) T6(18g NPK+6g micronutrient), T7(21g NPK+4g micronutrient), T8(24g NPK+2g micronutrient), T0 control (water). Based on the outcome of the current experiment, it can be concluded that treatment T6- (18gNPK+6gmicronutrient) produced the greatest results. It was determined to have the greatest growth traits with highest - Plant height(19.74cm), Number of leaves per plant (25.90), Plant spread(26.43cm) and Root length(28.35cm). It was also found best in terms of yield and yield attributing characters i.e., Total no flowers per plant (31.73), Fruit set (68.2 %) No of fruits per plant (21.58), Fruit weight (39.77g) Average yield (0.86kg).