INFLUENCE OF MULCH ON GROWTH, YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF STRAWBERRY

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at the horticulture farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh to study the influence of mulches on growth, yield and quality contributing characters of strawberry. Strawberry genotypes RAJ3I-3, Camarosa and Nohime were subjected with four mulching treatments, namely control (no mulch), straw mulch, styrofoam mulch and black polythene mulch. The two-factor experiment was conducted following RCBD with four replications. Results revealed that the best vegetative growth was found in Camarosa, which also required less duration for floral bud initiation, flowering, fruit setting and fruit ripening. Total fruit weight and average fruit weight were also the highest in Camarosa. Number of flower bud, flower, fruit and percentage of fruit set were found highest in RABI-3. Nohime had higher fruit pH which was significantly different from the others. The fruit soluble solid content (SSC) and ascorbic acid percentage were higher in Camarosa. All mulch treatments influenced plant growth, yield and fruit quality. Among them black polythene and straw mulch had no significant difference on vegetative growth. Percentage of fruit set and total fruit weight were the highest in Camarosa treated with black polythene. The value of pH was the maximum when Nohime treated with no mulch. SSC was higher in Camarosa treated with styrofoam and no mulch. Ascorbic acid percentage was the greatest in Camarosa treated with black polythene mulch. In almost all the parameter tested, Camarosa performed better among the three genotypes. Among the mulching application, black polythene mulch gave the best performance for growth, yield and quality attributes.