Influence of fertigation on growth and yield of strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.) cv. Sabrina

Significance of fertigation on growth and yield components of strawberry was studied. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with four replications and eight treatments. Application of 100 or 75% RDF through fertigation or 25 % RDF through soil + 75 % RDF through fertigation recorded higher plant height (27-29 cm), number of trifoliate leaves (27-30), plant spread (>50 cm in both east-west and north-south direction), maximum leaf area (>175 cm2), number of runners per plant (1.75-1.85), plant dry weight (28-30 g). These treatments also recorded higher fruit characteristics viz., maximum fruit weight (17-18 g), fruit volume (18-19 cc), fruit length (4.00-4.14 cm) and fruit diameter (4.08-4.14 cm). By virtue of this, fruit yield per plant was also found highest (384-391 g), giving 31- 33 per cent higher than 100% RDF through soil application (295.95 g/plant). However, application of 75% RDF through fertigation stands best among them. Application of 50% RDF through soil application and 50% RDF through fertigation found alternative to these treatments and thus fertigation ensures best solution for intensive and economical crop production.