Performance of strawberry grown in open field conditions in relation to differential irrigation scheduling

A two year study was undertaken to examine the effect of differential irrigation (drip and conventional furrow irrigation) on growth, yield, fruit quality and water use efficiency of strawberry grown in open field conditions. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design in three replicates by growing cv. Chandler variety of strawberry. The experimental treatments included five levels of irrigation viz. T1-drip irrigation at 120 % ETc, T2-drip irrigation at 100 % ETc, T3-drip irrigation at 80 % ETc, T4-drip irrigation at 60 % ETc and T5-furrow irrigation with ‘V’ volume of water. The study revealed that the drip irrigation at 120% of ETc gave significantly higher plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of runners and fruit yield compared to that obtained with drip irrigation at 80 and 60% of ETc and furrow irrigation. Similarly, the fruit size, fruit weight, TSS, total sugar and reducing sugar were found higher in drip irrigation at 120% of ETc, followed by drip irrigation at 100% ETc. Further, the growth, yield and fruit quality under drip irrigation at 120% of ETc were obtained slightly better compared to that under 100% of ETc. However, the drip irrigation at 100% of ETc confirmed about 16% saving of irrigation water compared to 120% of ETc irrigation treatment. Besides, drip irrigation at 100% ETc recorded 16 to 18%, 16 to 30% and 23% increase in plant height, yield and water use efficiency over furrow irrigation with ‘V’ volume of water.