Improving Production and Quality of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) Cv. Chandler with Plant Growth Regulators: A Study in Northern Punjab

Abstract

The use of plant growth regulators was researched to improve strawberry production and fruit and fruitquality in the cooler, northern Punjab regions, known for their superior output and fruit quality by randomized block experiment using strawberry “Chandler”, Fragaria × Ananassa Duch. uniform runners cultivated in open fields with paddy straw mulch. After 30 and 60 days of planting, we foliar sprayed the plants with NAA 60, 90, 120, and 150 mg l-1 and GA3 60, 90, 120, and150 mg l-1. The experiment recorded plant growth characteristics, such as number of leaves, stems, leaf area, petiole length, and runners, at their highest levels with the application of 120 mg l-1 GA3. Similarly, we found the optimal number of strawberries produced in terms of flowers, fruits, weight, marketability, and overall fruit yield with the same application. On the other hand, the application of 150 mg l-1 NAA produced strawberries with the highest total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, and total sugar contents. Nonetheless, we did not observe any significant effect of the plant growth regulator treatments on the number of days required for 50.0% blooming, the firmness of the fruit, or the acidity level of strawberry fruits. Our findings provide a low-cost production system that can improve the yield and quality of strawberries, potentially contributing to poverty alleviation among farmers in the region.