Enhancement in yield and nutritive qualities of strawberry fruits by the application of organic manures and biofertilizers

The present study was carried out to elucidate the effects of organic manures (FYM, vermicompost and forest litter) and biofertilizers (Azotobacter chroococcum and Pseudomonas fluorescens) on plant growth, yield and fruits quality of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch. cv. Chandler) under field conditions. Sixteen treatments (including a control) were used in this study. Among these, treatment T₁₃ (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost + Azotobacter + Pseudomonas) was found most effective to enhance plant growth parameters viz. plant height, plant spread, leaf area per plant, and induced early flowering. Maximum increase in yield per plant and yield per plot were achieved by the application of 50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost + Pseudomonas (T₁₂), which was at par of T₁₃. However, fruit quality parameters including ascorbic acid, total sugar, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity were found significantly higher in T₁₃. Higher availability of nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) in soil was also recorded in this treatment. Principle component analysis revealed that different treatments (T₉ -T₁₃, T₁₅ and T₁₆) showed positive effects on plant growth, yield and fruit quality parameters. Among these, T₁₃ and T₁₅ were found most effective to increase yield and fruit quality parameters. The PCA analysis also revealed that ‘Days to flowering’ was independent and negatively correlated to other planting value parameters. Similarly, total acid content in fruit did affect other fruit quality parameter, including antioxidant capacity. The combination of manures and biofertilizers has shown potential to increase crop yield and its nutritive properties under field conditions. Therefore, we concluded that the combination of biofertilizers with organic manures (especially, FYM and vermicompost) should be used for sustainably higher production of quality strawberries especially under organic farming system. Such approaches have a higher rationale with small farm or hill agriculture system where farmers are generally resource poor and have low input capacity.