Production of Elite Planting Material of Strawberry Using Soil-Less Substrates under Protected Condition

Abstract

Strawberry has a great potential for becoming a remunerative crop in Himachal Pradesh, but the problem lies in the non-availability of good and healthy planting material. Soil borne diseases caused by Verticillium and Phytophthora, result in severe production losses in strawberry culture which can be avoided by using soilless substrates. Moreover, strawberry also has a very high phosphorus demand which can be met with the help of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AM). However, research on its profitability in strawberry production under protected condition needs to be carried out before any conclusion can be derived. Hence, efforts are being made to produce elite planting material (runners) under protected condition using different soilless substrates enriched with AM fungi. Strawberry runners were grown successfully on perlite as well as on cocopeat mixes in a polyhouse having irrigation facilities. Perlite and perlite combinations resulted in increased runner production with better growth parameters.