Cultivation of Strawberry
Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) is a popular soft fruit, cultivated in plains and hills up to an elevation of 3000 meters in both humid and dry regions. It offers quick returns, being among
the fruits that mature in the shortest time. Strawberry is considered a complete fruit, with 98% of it being edible.

The fruit is attractive, aromatic, and flavorful, rich in Vitamin C (39 to 89 mg/100g of pulp), Vitamin B, proteins, and minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and iron.
Additionally, strawberries are an excellent source of antioxidants and have anticarcinogenic and antidiabetic properties. Their low calorific value, absence of cholesterol, and high mineral content make them ideal for health-conscious consumers. Crushed strawberries and strawberry syrup are popular in beverages, ice creams, chocolates, confectioneries, and cosmetics.

 

Origin and Distribution
Strawberry originated in France and its cultivation in India is primarily confined to hilly regions like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh, and the Kashmir valley. However, with the introduction of day-neutral cultivars, its cultivation has spread to tropical and subtropical zones. Key areas for strawberry production in India include Solan and Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), Jylikot, Dehradun, and Nainital (Uttarakhand), Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), Darjeeling (West Bengal), Hissar and Gurgaon (Haryana), Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, and Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), Abohar, Alwar, Jalandhar, and Gurdaspur (Punjab), Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani (Maharashtra), and Bangalore (Karnataka). The soil and climatic conditions in the Northeast, particularly Meghalaya, are also favourable for strawberry cultivation.

Varieties
Strawberries are unique in that all their cultivars are products of hybridization. Some popular
varieties include:
● Camarosa.
● Ofra.
● Chandler.
● Elista.
● Sweet Charlie.
● Fairfax.
● Blackmore.
● Seascape.

Soil and Climate Requirements
Site Selection
For commercial strawberry plantations, site selection is crucial. Factors to consider include:
● Proximity to markets.
● Transportation facilities.
● Availability of adequate labor.
● Suitable climate.
● Quality water supply.
● Proper slope and good soil drainage.

Soil
Strawberry plants thrive best in sandy loam soil. Light soils require frequent irrigation for runner establishment, while heavier soils with sufficient moisture are preferable. Soil rich in humus is ideal because a significant portion of strawberry roots (70-90%) are found in the top 15 cm of soil.

Strawberries should not be grown consecutively on the same land or on land previously used for potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, or raspberries. They are not very sensitive to soil pH, growing well in soils with pH 5.0-7.5, but they thrive best in slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5-6.5). For soils with pH less than 4.5, liming is recommended, though it should not be applied directly to the plants as excessive lime can dwarf them and reduce berry size.

Climate
Strawberry plants are sensitive to environmental parameters such as temperature, photoperiod, and light intensity. Optimal daytime temperatures range from 22°C to 25°C and nighttime temperatures from 7°C to 13°C. Cold climates with frost can significantly reduce yields, with frost damaging the centre of open flowers (black eye). Frost injury can be mitigated using mulch, plastic row covers, and ensuring good air drainage. Photoperiod impacts vegetative
growth, plant morphology, and yield, with longer photoperiods increasing stolon formation, petiole length, leaf area, and yield.

Propagation
Strawberries can be propagated through seeds, vegetative means, or tissue culture. Propagation through seeds is not recommended as it does not produce true-to-type plants. Vegetative propagation, particularly through runners, is more common. Runners are stolons that grow out from the parent plant during summer, forming new plants at the nodes. These runner plants can be separated from the mother plant once they have sufficient growth and roots.

Techniques for Runner Production

Runner production can be enhanced by planting in separate beds where strawberries haven’t been grown for at least 3-4 years. Planting should be done at 1.2 x 1.2m or 1.8 x 1.8m distances, with strict adherence to cultural practices. Approximately 30-40 runners per plant are considered a satisfactory rate of production, which can be increased by spraying GA3 (50-100 ppm). Runners should be lifted in September and planted in poly bags or tubes for a month to enhance survival and growth.

Cold Storage of Runners
Runners can be stored in cold storage for planting during spring. They are lifted in late November-December and stored until June-July in bundles of 200-250 in polythene bags (not more than 0.07 mm thickness). They can be kept in good condition for up to 3 months at 0 or -1°C and should be planted as soon as possible to avoid heat injury.

Land Preparation and Planting
The soil should be thoroughly prepared before planting and kept as weed-free as possible. Farmyard manure (FYM) or other bulky manures should not be deeply plowed, as they work best when applied on the topsoil. Soil fumigation with methyl bromide (67%) or chloropicrin (33%) before planting can control nematodes, verticillium wilt, and some weeds. Healthy runners with medium to large crowns and well-developed root systems are ideal for planting.

Setting the Plants
Proper planting depth and firm packing of soil around the roots are critical for successful strawberry planting. Crowns should be set even with the soil surface. If set too shallow, they will dry out; if too deep, they may be smothered.

Time of Planting
Planting can be done between July and April, but early planting ensures a good crop. Planting from mid-September to mid-October is ideal for mid-hill conditions in Meghalaya, requiring less
special care for establishment.

Planting Systems and Spacing
Matted Rows:
In this system, runners are planted 45 cm apart in rows with 90 cm spacing between rows. Runners root in the rows during June-July, forming a mat about 40-45 cm wide.

Spaced Bed:
This system maintains a spacing of 30-50 cm between plants and 90-100 cm between rows.

Hill Rows:
Plants are grown in single or double rows on 15-20 cm raised beds. Runners are set 20-25 cm apart in twin rows with 90-120 cm spacing between twin rows, commonly used in hilly areas.

Container Cultivation
Container cropping is attractive for strawberries due to better phytosanitary conditions, easier fruit picking, and out-of-season production possibilities. Containers can be brought under protection (glasshouse, polyhouse, porch) to advance fruit cropping and then replaced after fruiting. This method reduces soil-borne pests and diseases and is convenient for picking. For
container gardening, a drainage layer of hardcore or broken bricks is covered with potting compost. Soil: Sand: FYM in a 1:1:2 ratio is recommended as the best potting media. Freshly dug runners are planted from August to mid-October to allow proper establishment and a good crop in the first summer.

Cultivation Under Plastic Low Tunnels
High temperatures, long photoperiods, and rainfall after March make conditions unfavourable for strawberry cultivation in Northeast India, particularly Meghalaya. However, off-season demand for high-quality fresh strawberries remains high from March to August. Protected cultivation using plastic greenhouses, polythene tunnels, or row covers of plastic film can extend the
harvesting season and protect plants from adverse weather. Dwarf varieties like Elista, Fairfox, Gorella, Douglas, Fern, Selva, and Chandler grow better under protected conditions.

Advantages of Protected Cultivation
● Better plant growth and development
● Early crop maturity and flowering by 10-15 days
● Prolonged harvest period with normal fruit size up to the fourth picking
● Off-season fruit availability
● Elimination of frost injury
● Low incidence of soil-borne diseases
● Increased yield and improved fruit quality
● Easier runner production in high-rainfall areas

Flexible transparent plastic low tunnels with UV-stabilized plastic (50-100 microns) enhance plant growth by increasing air temperature around the plant during winter. They also warm the
soil, protect plants from frost injury and cold winds, and protect fruit from botrytis during rains. This method advances the crop by 10-15 days and extends the cropping season. For effective
pollination and good fruit setting, 2-3 honeybee colonies can be placed on the northwest side of the field.

Mulching
Mulching is a critical practice in strawberry cultivation. It helps to conserve soil moisture, control weeds, regulate soil temperature, and protect the berries from direct contact with the soil, thus
reducing fruit rot and improving fruit quality. Mulching can be done using organic materials such as straw, pine needles, and leaves or inorganic materials like black plastic film. Organic mulches add organic matter to the soil as they decompose, while plastic mulches provide better weed control and earlier fruiting due to soil warming. The choice of mulch depends on availability,
cost, and specific field conditions.

Irrigation
Irrigation is crucial in the first year after transplanting and during the rooting of runners. It helps in the utilization of applied nutrients, preventing frost damage to blossoms. Irrigation methods
include surface, sprinkler, and drip systems. Drip irrigation is efficient for water use and disease control, especially when combined with mulching.

Nutrient Management
Balanced nutrient application is vital for healthy strawberry growth. Organic manures (like farmyard manure) and biofertilizers (like Azotobacter and Azospirillum) can improve nutrient availability and enhance plant growth and yield. Inorganic fertilizers should be applied based on soil tests to meet the specific nutrient requirements of strawberries.

Typical nutrient requirements are:

● Nitrogen: Essential for vegetative growth
● Phosphorus: Important for root development
● Potassium: Crucial for fruit development and quality

Regular soil testing can guide the precise application of these nutrients to avoid deficiencies or toxicities.

Use of Plant Growth Regulators
Growth substances such as GA3 (50-100 ppm) and NAA can improve yield, fruit quality, and runner production. Applying GA3 can enhance runner production, while NAA can improve fruit
sets and reduce pre-harvest fruit drop.

Weed Management
Weed control is critical in strawberry cultivation, as weeds compete with strawberry plants for nutrients, water, and light. Effective weed management can be achieved using:

● Hand weeding
● Mulching with straw, black plastic, or organic materials
● Pre-emergence herbicides like Simazine and Pendimethalin

Pest Management
Strawberries are susceptible to several pests, including:

● White grubs and cutworms: Damage roots and stems
● Hairy caterpillars: Defoliate plants
● Red spider mites: Cause stippling and leaf bronzing
● Root weevils: Larvae feed on roots
● Thrips: Feed on flowers and fruits
● Leaf rollers: Roll and web leaves together
● Tarnished plant bugs: Cause cat-facing of fruits
● Slugs: Feed on leaves and fruits
● Nematodes: Cause root galls and plant stunting

Effective pest management involves regular monitoring, cultural practices, and the use of appropriate insecticides when necessary.

Disease Management
Common strawberry diseases include:

● Verticillium wilt: Causes wilting and death of plants
● Powdery mildew: Causes white powdery growth on leaves and fruits
● Red stele: Causes root rot and plant stunting
● Leaf spot: Causes small purple spots on leaves

Managing these diseases requires proper crop rotation, soil fumigation, the use of resistant varieties, and timely application of fungicides.

Harvesting
Strawberries are typically harvested 4-6 weeks after flowering. The fruit should be picked when it is fully ripe, with a deep red colour and a glossy surface. Harvesting should be done in the cool part of the day, ideally in the morning. Care should be taken to avoid bruising the fruit. A gentle twist and pull method is often used to detach the berry from the stem without damaging the plant or fruit.

Picking
Strawberries should be picked with the calyx (green cap) and a short piece of the stalk attached to prolong their shelf life. The fruit should be placed gently into shallow containers to prevent
bruising and stacking should be avoided. Regular and frequent picking, every 2-3 days, is necessary during the peak harvest period to ensure the fruit does not over-ripen on the plant.

Yield
The yield of strawberries can vary significantly depending on the cultivar, climate, soil fertility, and management practices. On average, a well-managed strawberry field can produce 20-25
tonnes per hectare. Some high-yielding varieties and optimized cultivation techniques can achieve up to 30 tonnes per hectare. The yield also depends on the planting density and the number of plants per hectare.

Conclusion
Successful strawberry cultivation requires careful attention to site selection, soil and climate conditions, propagation techniques, and effective management of irrigation, nutrients, pests, and diseases. With the right practices, strawberries can be a profitable and rewarding crop, providing delicious fruits rich in essential nutrients and health benefits.