Cultivation Guide

INTRODUCTION

The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a widely grown hybrid species of the genus Fragaria, collectively known as the strawberries. It is cultivated worldwide for its fruit. The fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness. It is consumed in large quantities, either fresh or in such prepared foods as preserves, juice, ice creams, milkshakes, and chocolates. Artificial strawberry flavorings and aromas are also widely used in many products like lip gloss, candy, jam, jelly and many others.

In India Mahabaleshwar is famous Hill Station and Famous for strawberries where 80% of strawberries are being cultivated, strawberries are also cultivated in other regions of India like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ooty, J&K, Rajasthan etc.

Strawberries are rich source of antioxidants they support the immune system they may help with blood sugar regulation they may have antimicrobial effects they may improve heart health they can help with weight management Strawberries are also been credited as having cancer- fighting compounds.

Nutritional and health values of the strawberry fruit

Energy	45 cal	Vitamin A	45 IU
Protein	1.0 g	Vitamin C	94 mg
Fat	0.0 g	Niacin (Vitamin B3)	540 mcg
Carbohydrate	11 g	Folate	29.38 mcg
Dietary fiber	2.0 g	Manganese	540 mcg
Calcium	23.2 mg	Iron	0.6 mg
Magnesium	16.6 mg	Selenium	1.16 mg
Potassium	170 mg	Zinc	0.2 mg
Phosphorous	31.5 mg	Sodium	0 mg

SOIL REQUIREMENT

Strawberries are perennials that need rich soil with lots of organic matter and a slightly acidic pH (between 5.5 and 6.5). Work in compost, rotted manure and some peat moss at planting time. Another good addition is granular fertilizer. Strawberries can adapt very well to wide range of soils strawberries can perform excellent in well-drained sandy loam soils at least 12inches deep heavy soil provide good result if drained is adequate

Some strawberry varieties which easily come in contact with fungal diseases in the soil for many years because of the crops which were cultivated before in the same filed, we highly suggest you to plant strawberries in a newly prepared filed where you have not planted potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, gooseberry, cherries.

CLIMATE

Strawberry can be classified according to the suitability of varieties for a specific period there are three types of strawberries being grown commercially Short Day, Day Neutral, and ever bearing

SELECTION OF VARIETIES:

Short day or "June Bearing" strawberries produce a single, large crop per year during a 2 – 3 week period in the spring. June bearers are the traditionally grown plants, producing a single flush of flowers and many runners. They are classified into early, mid-season and late varieties like

Ever bearing strawberry plants also produce fewer runners. The fruit of ever bearing strawberries is generally smaller than June-bearing strawberries too

Day neutral strawberry plants are unique. Unlike June bearing varieties, day neutral strawberries will produce a good yield in the first year they are planted. They flower and set strawberries whenever the temperature is between 35 and 85 degrees

Strawberry is an important fruit crop of India and its commercial production is possible in temperate and sub-tropical areas of the country. Varieties are available which can be cultivated in the subtropical climate. In India, it is generally cultivated in the hilly areas.

Varieties:

AMIGA	MARGHERITA	WINTER DAWN	SELVA
CAMAROSA	MARISOL	WINTER STAR	SHAKED
FESTIVAL	ROCIERA	FLAVIA	PELES
NABILA	SA	FLAMINIA	ROTEMI
KEMILA	SWEET CHARLIE	RANIA	VENTENA
MELLISA	SWEET SENSATION	FORTUNA	VERTONA

STRAWBERRY NUTRIENTS

Why Fertigation

The only method for possible for plastic mulched beds Increased yield and fruit quality Improved efficiency of application Flexibility to control plant growth response

Major Elements & Micro Nutrients

Nitrogen:  Important element in leaves and roots at the time of plantation Highest uptake from start of growth to flowering Excess N causes vegetative growth, softer fruits, more Botrytis, Low down the use of nitrogen when the plants start fruiting Required only if need for plants at the time of fruiting	Magnesium Important for chlorophyll synthesis High levels of K are antagonistic Most up take takes place during vegetative growth and flowering
Phosphorus Important for root development and flower initations Highest uptake following planting and flowering During fruiting P is accumulated in fruits (in seeds) at expense of leaves, petioles, and roots	BORON Important for root development vegetative growth and pollen fertility Uptake increases during flowering Narrow band between deficiency and toxicity Excess causes tip burn leaf scorch soft fruit High P inhibits uptake
Potassium Regulates stomatal activity Important for sugar production Highest demand during flowering and fruiting Fruit accumulates most of the K Does not necessarily increase fruit firmness	Maganese Catalyst for enzyme systems Essential for uptake of P and Mg High PH inhibits uptake Uptake is constant during growth
Calcium Important for development for roots, young leaf and buds Important for fruit firmness Shortage causes tip burn High K, NH4 antagonistic to uptake Peak demand from planting to flowering 2 tank systems needed to supply	Iron Importance for the synthesis for chlorophyll Highest uptake during early development High PH reduce uptake Waterlogging loss of fine roots hair reduces uptake K, NH4 REDUCES PH increases less Fe uptake NO3 , SO4 , PO4 + PH less Fe uptake