Strawberry in India is suitable for various production regions and its commercial cultivation holds significant potential. In the realm of fruits, strawberries stand as an important small fruit. Globally, strawberries are widely consumed and cultivated, and efforts are underway to grow them using new techniques. However, due to its rich content of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, it is primarily cultivated in cool temperate regions. It is a perennial plant that requires chilling for fruiting. The flowering period and temperature significantly affect its growth. This once-a-year plant needs chilling to bear fruit. It is influenced by the duration of sunlight and temperature. Strawberry cultivation not only provides a fruit with low production costs and good market value but also serves as a source of employment. Compared to other fruits, strawberries yield quick returns, and its taste is mildly sweet and tart. It is globally cultivated for its fruit, and strawberry's distinctive aroma is its identification. It is preserved and consumed in various forms such as jams, juices, ice cream, milkshakes, confectionery, chewing gum, soft drinks, etc. It is rich in minerals.
soil and field preparation for strawberry production: This crop is suitable for a cool climate, and a temperature range of 20 to 30 degrees Celsius is ideal. A temperature increase can cause damage to the plants, affecting the yield. It can be cultivated in various types of soil, but sandy-loam soil is considered optimal. The soil should have good drainage. In the first week of September, plow the field three times, then spread 70-80 tons of well-decomposed manure per hectare and mix it thoroughly with the soil. Additionally, based on soil testing, incorporate potassium and phosphorus while preparing the field. After applying the necessary fertilizers to the field, create beds with a width of 2 feet and a distance of 1.5 feet between beds. Once the beds are ready, lay a drip irrigation pipeline. For planting the seedlings, make holes at a distance of 20 to 30 centimeters in the plastic mulch.
Strawberry planting time: The planting of strawberry seedlings should be done from September 10th to October 10th. If the temperature is high during the planting period, it can be delayed until around September 20th. Planting should be carried out during the cooler parts of the day. Strawberry plants are placed in raised beds. The width of these beds is kept at 2 feet, and the height is approximately 25 cm. A 1.5-foot gap is maintained between two beds. Within the beds, the plants are spaced in four rows, with a distance of 25 cm between rows and 25-30 cm between plants within a row. An interval of 15 feet is kept between two such beds. Approximately 35,000 to 45,000 plants per hectare or 10,000 square meters are recommended for strawberry cultivation. Ensure that the roots are completely set in the soil. Keeping the roots exposed can lead to drying. Provide shade to the plants from excessive heat, cold.
Manure and fertilizer and irrigation in strawberry field: The strawberry plant is quite delicate. Therefore, it is essential to provide it with timely fertilizers and nutrients, based on the soil test report of your field. In ordinary sandy soil, during soil preparation, 10 to 15 tons of well-decomposed cow dung manure should be spread per acre. The water used for these plants should be of optimum quality (free from salts). Immediate irrigation is necessary after planting the seedlings. Irrigation should be done through fine emitters. Take care to ensure that the plants are healthy and free from diseases and pests while irrigating with fine emitters. Change the irrigation method to the drip system using the drip technique after flowering.
Use of poly house: In case there is no poly house, farmers should use plastic low tunnel to protect strawberries from frost. To protect the plants from frost, it is necessary to cover the raised beds with a transparent sheet of polythene whose thickness is 100-200 microns. To keep the bedsheet above the beds, bamboo sticks or hoops made of iron wire should be used.
Strawberry harvesting and market access When the fruit becomes 70 percent original color, it should be plucked. Pack the fruits in plastic plates and keep in a proper temperature and ventilated place. While plucking, the strawberry fruit should not be held; the stalk should be held from above. The average fruit yield is seven to ten tonnes per hectare. Strawberries should be packed in plastic plates. It should be kept in a ventilated place, where the temperature is five degrees. After a day the temperature should be zero degrees.
Strawberry diseases and control: Strawberry plants can become victims of various diseases. Its leaves can be infected with powdery mildew, leaf spot and leaf blight. While watering strawberry plants, keep in mind that water should be given only to the roots and not to the leaves, otherwise the moisture on the leaves may cause growth of fungus. To control the disease, in the initial stage, dissolve Mancozeb (75 WP) 2.5 grams per liter or Chlorothylonil (75 WP) 2 grams per liter of water and spray 2-3 at an interval of 15 days.
Economic Benefits of Strawberry Cultivation: Strawberry cultivation is a high-value and cost-effective crop that can provide farmers with secure and sustainable income. Due to its rich content of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, strawberries offer health benefits. It is abundant in minerals essential for our bodies. In local markets, strawberries can be priced between 400-600 rupees per kilogram. The yield of strawberries per hectare can range from 7 to 10 tons. If we consider a market price of 400,000 rupees per ton, selling the fruit can result in a total income of 2,800,000 rupees per hectare. After deducting the production costs, farmers can achieve a net profit of 500,000 rupees. Strawberry cultivation proves to be a lucrative and aromatic fruit production method, empowering farmers. With high market value and low production costs, this fruit can be economically beneficial.
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