Abstract:
The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture research farm of ICAR Research Complex for NEH region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India, during the year 2008-2009 to study “Off-season production of Strawberry: Effect of Low tunnel and planting time.” The experiment was laid out in a split plot design, the main plot being the time of planting (July, August, September, October and November)while low tunnel covers (UVS polythene, Shade net 50%, Shade net 75% and open condition)being considered in the sub-plot and were replicated thrice. The maximum growth in term of plant height and number of leaves was recorded during September planting while maximum plant survival percentage, chlorophyll contents, fruit set, yield, maximum berry size, berry weight were recorded in October planting. Among the low tunnel covers, low tunnel of 50% shade net was observed highest survival percentage, highest chlorophyll content, highest number of flowers, highest fruit set, highest yield, berry of heavy weight and better texture. Maximum plant height, numbers of leaves, earliness in flower production, maximum berry size were observed under UVS polythene tunnel. Earliest fruit set, firmer texture berry was recorded in the month of November and planting under UVS polythene in the same month was found to take minimum days to start flowering. Planting time significantly affected the chemical composition of strawberry fruit in which October planting observed to contained highest TSS and Beta –carotene, whereas sugars and total mineral content was observed during August planting while highest anthocyanin content and ascorbic acid content were recorded during November planting. Maximum TSS, ascorbic acid and anthocyanin were recorded under UVS polythene tunnel. Planting under UVS polythene tunnel in November recorded highest TSS whereas, highest ascorbic acid and anthocyanin content were obtained under the same tunnel in the month of October. Highest total sugar was also recorded under UVS polythene tunnel when planted in the month of August. Beta-carotene content was highest in the month of October under 75% shade net while total mineral was highest when planted in 50% shade net tunnel in the month of July. Fruit harvested from November planting can be stored for longer period. The occurrence of diseases was observed but it was not severe. From the present investigation, it was concluded that low tunnel structure and planting time had a positive effect on the plant growth, early fruiting, extension of fruiting period yield, quality and strawberry can be produced 30-35 days earlier than normal period when planted in low tunnels of 50% shade net in the month of July or August and the period of fruit availability may be extended to 47 days from normal when planted in the month of November under UVS polythene tunnel.

Includes bibliographical references.