Strawberry (Fragaria x annanasa)

Family: Rosaceae
Chromosome No.: x = 7, 2n = 56
Type of Fruit: Berry (fleshy thalamus)
The cultivated strawberry is one of the most important soft fruits of the world. It has
adapted well to higher varied climatic conditions. Now-a-days, it is commerciallycultivated
under extreme temperate conditions, sub-tropical and high altitudes of tropical regions and even
in desert areas of Israel. In India, strawberry cultivation became popular in the late 60’s of the
last century in Himachal Pradesh and in the hills of Uttarakhand. Strawberry is a quick growing
plant and is cherished in home gardens and on commercial land for its beautiful, nutritious and
bright red coloured fruits.
Origin and Distribution
The cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch) is a result of hybridization of two
American species Fragaria chiloensis and Fragaria virginiana which was originated in France
in the seventeenth century. F. chiloensis is found to occur in Chile and Coastal areas of South
America. F. virginiana is located in Canada and USA. The wild species Fragariavescais the
most broadly distributed species which is found in North and South America, Europe, Asia and
Hawaii. Strawberry is grown extensively throughout the Europe, Canada, South America and
many other countries.
Area and Production
The annual strawberry production in the world is ------------------- from an area of --------.
The leading strawberry producing countries are USA, Turkey, Spain, Egypt, Mexico, Russia,
Japan, South Korea, Poland and Germany. In India, Maharashtra is the leading state in
strawberry cultivation. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Uttar
Pradesh, West Bengal (Darjeeling), Punjab and Haryana are other strawberry growing states.
Mahabaleshwar is the major strawberry producing area in Maharashtra. The strawberry growing
areas in the country are Bangalore, Ooty, Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh), Kunnoor (Karnataka) and
Nilgiri hills.
Botany
The strawberry plant is a low growing herbaceous plant with a short perennial crown on
which closely set leaves are produced. Runners are produced in the axis of trifoliate leaves. The
fruit trusses appear to arise laterally and each produces few to many flowers on branching stalks.
The roots arise, older crown given longer flowering period. The fruits are round to conical
depending on the varieties. The fleshy edible portion is swollen receptacle on which embedded
are numerous achenes or seeds. Four types of fruit development takes place in this fruit plant.
Primary berries are largest and ripens first. Next comes secondary berries in size and ripening
time. Tertiary and quaternary berries are small and ripen late in the season. Strawberry varieties
also vary greatly with respect to the size of calyx.
Climate
The cultivated strawberry is grown commercially in temperate to sub-tropical climate.
Quality of strawberry fruits is affected by temperature. A long growth period with growing warm
summer and mid-autumn is desirable. The plant growth observed maximum at 22oC day
temperature and 7-13oC night temperature. Strawberry prefers relatively low optimum
temperature for growth and fruiting. The growth of the plant takes place better in short days and
cools temperature. In winter, the plants remain dormant and thus help in breaking dormancy of
the plant. The strawberries are sensitive to frost damage and winter injury in temperate climate.
Long days and warm temperature favour leaf and runner production. Exposure of plants to long
day after transplanting is proved beneficial in advancing flowers, extending flowering period,
advance fruit maturity, reduce harvest span and improved fruit quality. High light intensity
promotes ripening of berries.
Soil
Strawberries can be grown on wide variety of soil from sandy to loamy soils. Strawberry
on light soil requires frequent irrigation in order to establish the runners and to maintain berry
size and quality. However, it grows well in fertile, well drained soils, rich in organic matter with
pH 5.5-6.5. Moisture should be adequate during dry season for obtaining higher yields.
Nematode infested soils should be avoided for strawberry cultivation. The soil rich in organic
matter or light soils are considered better for runner production.
Varieties
The selection of varieties to be grown in a particular site is essential. The varieties large
in size, firm may be adapted for transportation to distant markets and for local consumption
desert quality is important. In places where spring frost is of common occurrence, the late
flowering varieties should be planted. A good number of strawberry varieties are grown in
temperate and sub-tropical climate which includes Chandler, Camarosa, Tioga, Torrey, Senga
Sengana, Pajaro, Dilpasand, Osogrand, Festival, Brighton, Addie, Belrubi, Bangalore, Confutura,
Sweet Charlie etc.
Propagation
Strawberry is usually propagated by runners. Early formed runners are vigorous, have
good root system and more productive. Now a days large scale propagation by tissue culture has
been used widely. These plants are free from virus and other diseases and given higher yields.At
the time of planting care should be taken that crown is above the soil. If plants are to be planted
during dry weather, some leaves should be removed before planting.
Planting
Before planting, the land should be deep ploughed, leveled, and all the weeds should be
removed. In the hills, transplanting is done in March-April or September-October but in plains
the month of December-January may be appropriate. The distance kept in between plants is 30
cm and in between rows as 60 cm. However, it is observed that in plains 45 x 45 cm distance is
kept for taking better yields of fruit and runners. If only fruit production is needed 30 x 30 cm
distance is optimum.
Systems of planting
The strawberry plants are planted according to different systems as follow:
1. Single hill beds:In this system, the plants are to be planted 30 cm apart within the rows. Row
to row distance is kept 90 cm.
2. Mid-hill planting: The distance from plant to plant and row to row is kept 30 x 60 cm under
this system. Spacing of 30 x 30 cm is also commonly followed which accommodate population
of 55000 plants per hectare.
3. Double row beds: In this system, the double row plants are grown on each bed with a
distance of 30 x 30 cm within the row and plant to plant. Distance from one bed to another bed is
kept 105 to 120 cm.
Planting of runners at 25 x 25 cm spacing with four rows of plants per bed accommodates
one lakh plants per hectare. The planting distance can be kept from plant to plant 45 cm and row
to row 60-75 cm.
Manuring and Fertilization
 The healthy and vigorous growth and optimum fruit yield of good quality can be
achieved only with proper application of manures and fertilizers to strawberry plants. Fifty tonne
FYM, 40 kg P2O5 and 40 kg K2O per hectare at the time of preparation of beds is applied.
Application of 80 kg N per hectare in two split doses is recommended. Half nitrogen is applied at
the time of planting or after the establishment of plants in October-November and the remaining
half before blossoming. Application of vermicompost (10 t/ha) to strawberry is very useful in
improving plant growth and fruit yield. Deficiencies of phosphorous (poor growth of plants,
early defoliation of older leaves), potassium (dark green leaves with scorched margins),
magnesium (older leaves turn bright yellow with red tints in centre and near the margins), iron
(chlorotic leaves with visible vein pattern) and manganese (faint leaves with intervienal chlorosis
beginning at margins) are common in strawberry.
Mulching
Mulching the strawberry field is very useful practice as it helps in conservation of soil
moisture, checks weed growth and avoids the direct contact of berries with soil. Straw mulch
2.5-5 cm thick or black polythene mulch (increases temperature and soil moisture)is generally
used. This mulch is removed after fruiting for runner production. The labour for weeding and
hoeing is saved in this method.
Weed Control
Weed poses serious threat in strawberry production. They compete with the strawberry
plants for nutrients and moisture results low yield of poor quality. Mulching with black
polythene, Oxyfluorfen + napropamide (0.60 + 5.0 kg/ha), Simazine (3 kg/ha) or Stomp (5 l/ha)
check weed population.
Irrigation
Regular irrigation to strawberry plants is very important for stable production over the
years. It is a shallow rooted plant that requires more frequent but less amount of water in each
irrigation. Optimum irrigation improves size and general appearance of berries, enhance yield
and extend harvesting period. Early planting requires more irrigations as runners are actively
growing and will not withstand dry soil conditions. Irrigation interval should be kept weekly in
November, March and April, while fortnightly in December to February. Irrigation is applied in
furrows between the rows. Drip and sprinkler methods of irrigation are more suitable for
strawberry plantation.
Protection from cold
Both flowers and fruits are susceptible to frost injury after bud break. Thus protection
from frost and cold winds is required during winter. Strawberry mulch is commonly used during
winter to protect the plant from frost. The thickness of straw mulch should be 10 cm for effective
protection from cold. During winter, the plants should be protected from wind during night by
putting up plastic tunnels over the beds with the help of wires. Light irrigation to plantation
before frost occurrence also provide protection against freeze damage.
Training systems
Three training systems are followed in strawberry i.e. hill system, spaced row system and
matted row system.
Hill system: Multiple rows are made in groups of 2, 3 or 4 plants with 60 cm path between each
group. Plants are set 30 cm apart in multiple rows. Runners are removed so that the available
nutrients may be utilized by the mother plant. This system is best for growing day-neutral and
over bearing varieties. The cost of production is more in hill system. The yield is less but fruits
are larger in size.
Spaced row system:Runners are not removed. The number and spacing of new plant is
regulated. The mother plants are set at 30 to 75 cm apart in rows one metre apart. It helps in the
increase of the size of the plant and fruit yield. Three to four plants may be allowed to develop
from each runner.
Matted row system:This system is commonly followed in India and considered best for June
bearing cultivars. The mother plant may be spaced 30 x 90 cm apart in rows 120 to 150 apart.
Runners allowed to develop so that the plants occupy a space of 90 to 120 cm. The yield depends
on the number of plants and spacing between plants and rows. Leaves can be moved off after
harvest to eliminate diseased foliage and facilitate weed control and mulching.
Pollination and fruit set
In strawberry, cross pollination by insects is useful since stigmas become receptive
before the anthers release pollen.Most strawberry cultivars produce hermaphrodite flowers.
However, pistillate or strictly female cultivars require cross pollination. The pollens usually at
first flowering are heavy and sticky but later become dry and are carried by wind. Honey bees
are the main pollinating agent but some more insects are also involved in pollination. However it
is suggested that two beehives/ha improves fruit-set and yield.
Harvesting and storage
The strawberry is a non-climateric fruit. The strawberry plants starts fruiting after 3-4
months of planting. The fruit ripens from end February to April in the plains and during May-
June at higher elevation like Kashmir, Nanital and Mahabaleshwar. Three successive crops can
be taken but yield and quality deteriorate after two seasons. The fruits are harvested alongwith
the caps still attached and with their stalks when 50 per cent of the surface has attained red
colour. Strawberries are allowed to ripen on the plant fully as they do not continue to ripen after
harvest. For sending to longer distant market, berries are harvested immediately after reaching
full colour. For processing purpose, fruits are picked firm ripe with one to two third of the
surface showing colour.
Strawberries do not mature uniformly, as such harvesting should be completed in many
pickings. Picking operation should be completed before noon to avoid heating to berries. After
harvest, fruits should be kept under shade to avoid damage due to excessive heat in the open
field. The yield generally depending on varieties varies from 200-500 g/plant and 50-60 q/ha. In
temperate region maximum production is obtained in second or third year of planting. But in
plains every year plantation requires to be done.
The strawberry fruit decay within 2-3 days of harvesting under natural conditions. Pre-
cooling of fruits at 4oC immediately after harvesting is very useful practice in extending life in
cold store. The fruits should be packed in perforated CFB cartons with paper cuttings as
cashioning material. The fruits can be stored upto 10 days in cold storage at 0oC. The fruits
stored at 3oC in oxygen or at 5-20 per cent CO2 remained is good condition for 10 days.
Physiological disorder
Albinism : Albinism is a physiological disorder in the fruit of strawberry. Disorder
occurred due to lack of fruit colour during ripening. Probably this disorder is caused by certain
climatic conditions and nutrition excess. Fruit remain white or irregularly pink and swollen in
certain cases. The fruits become less firm and have acid taste. Such fruits often damaged during
harvesting, become susceptible to Botrytis and decayed during storage.

Diseases : Leaf spot (Hainesia lythri)

Symptoms : Lesions are most frequently observed on the blades of leaflets, petioles, fruit and fruit
stems. The lesions are small, deep purple and the centre becomes brown but it soon turns white. A dark
purple zone surrounds the central light area rendering a bird’s eye effect. On the under surface, the
prominent veins take a reddish purple colour. The entire leaflet may be killed affecting the yield.
 Management

a) Plant in well drained soil wider spacing.

b) Remove older leaves before fruit set.

c) Spray before flowering and after harvest with any one of the following fungicides:

captan 50WP (0.2%) or thiophenate methyl 70WP (0.05%) or carbendazim 50WP (0.05%) or
dodine 65WP (0.06%).

Other diseases are gray mold, red core, verticillium wilt, powdery mildew, alternaria spot.

Insect-pests : Red spider mite, blossom weevil, leaf rollers, thrips.