INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT GROWING MEDIA ON THE GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF STRAWBERRY UNDER PROTECTIVE CONDITIONS

Abstract

Experiment was conducted at the Horticulture farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from October-2019 to February-2020, to investigate the influence of different growing media on the growth, yield and quality of strawberry under protective conditions. The experiment consisted of two factors, and followed randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 2 factors with three replications. Factor A: Different growing media (3) viz; M 1 = Cowdung, M 2 = Cocopeat and M 3 = Vermicompost and Factor B: Different protected condition (3) viz; C 1 = No shade (Open space) C 2 = Net house and C 3 = UV poly tunnel. Experimental result revealed that among different growing media, strawberry plant grown in Cocopeat based growing media exhibited the highest number of fruit plant -1 (14.43), individual fresh fruit weight (15.47 g), fruit yield plant -1 (226.5 g), titratable acidity (0.54 %), ascorbic acid content (45.57 mg/100 g), moisture content (93.39 %), reducing sugar (8.57 %) and total anthocyanin content (29.45 mg g -1 ). In case of different protected conditions strawberry growing in net house condition recorded the highest number of fruits plant -1 (14.33), individual fresh fruit weight (15.54 g), fruit yield plant (229.16 g), total soluble solids (7.33 °Brix), titratable acidity (0.50 %), ascorbic acid content (46.08 mg/100 g) and moisture content (94.19 %). In case of interaction effect strawberry growing in Cocopeat based growing under net house condition exhibited the highest number of fruits plant -1

(17.00), individual fresh fruit weight (18.05 g), fruit yield plant -1 (307.11 g), titratable acidity (0.62 %), and ascorbic acid content (49.00 mg/100 g). Therefore, it can be concluded that strawberry grown in Cocopeat based growing media under net house condition performed well and found to be most suitable for achieving higher growth, yield and qualities and can be successfully used for the production of good quality strawberries.