Strawberry Cultivation Step by Step Guide

Strawberry Cultivation

Strawberry plants required a medium range of temperature. In the Greenhouse, strawberry cultivation is a better option because the strawberry fruit’s quality and quantity are much better than outside strawberry cultivation.

In India, strawberries are cultivated in Mahabaleshwar, Ooty,  Idukki, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and India’s northeast state.

Mostly Strawberry crops are cultivated in the open field; Nowadays, Strawberry has been cultivated in the Greenhouse because the price of strawberries is high in the off-season. In the Greenhouse, Strawberry  Plants grow throughout the years.

Strawberry fruit is a rich source of vitamin ‘C, Iron, Potassium, and fiber.

Soil Requirement For Strawberry Cultivation

Strawberry plant performs best in dry sandy soil. Heavy waterlogging soils are not suitable for strawberry cultivation.

Soil with a pH between 5.5 – 7 and EC below 0.7mS/cm is ideal for strawberry cultivation.

Bed  Preparation

A two-row system on one raised bed is useful for strawberry cultivation.

• Bed width: 60 cm
• Pathway: 50 cm
• Height: 45 cm

Basal Dose and F.Y.M

Basal dose & F.Y.M add at the time of bed preparation. This basal dose & F.Y.M improve soil structure & provide nutrients gradually.

• F.Y.M. – Ten ton /acre
• 18:46:00 (Di-Ammonium Phosphate – D.A.P.) 50 kg/acre

Mulching

Mostly Mulching is used in Strawberry cultivation, and before plantation, mostly black and silver mulching paper is selected.

The main use of plastic mulching is to maintain soil temperature and protect the roots from cold injury.

Other advantages of mulching are it helps to reduce fruit decay, cleans fruits, soil moisture conservation, saves irrigation water, prevents weed growth and lowers soil temperature during hot weather, and protects flowers from frost.

Irrigation

Drip irrigation is used in strawberry cultivation. In the drip system, 1- 2 lateral lines of 16 mm, with dripper at every 30 cm and having the discharge of 2 or 4 liter/hour.

Maintaining optimum soil moisture level is necessary as Strawberry is a relatively shallow-rooted plant and highly susceptible to drought.

Planting

Strawberry cultivation season In India

Plant Spacing

Two rows are planted at one-bed distance between 30 cm x 30 cm.

The total plant population per acre is 24,000 plants.

Planting

Well, root developed plant is Select for planting. The selected plant will be planted on the bed while planting and taking care of the crown part of the plant.

This crown part should not contact the soil from 1/3 of the plants.

After that, irrigation of the bed using sprinkler & Maintained moisture on the bed.

Plant  Lifecycle

Strawberry plant total life 8 – 9 months. After planting, if the conditions are appropriate for the plant’s desired growth, the plant will start flowering approximately 35 – 40 after planting.

Fertigation for Strawberry Cultivation ( 500 square/meter)

20-50 days after plantation

50-60 days after the plantation

60-100 days after plantation.

Strawberry  Harvesting

When Strawberry fruit got 50% -75%, the natural crimson colour starts harvesting. Harvesting Strawberry’s best time is in the morning. Strawberry harvested 3-4 times in the week.  Strawberry fruit is harvested in small trays or baskets.

The average yield obtained if the plant management and climatic conditions are conducive is approximately 500 – 600 gm/ plant/season.