Dose Optimization of Potassium (K) for Yield and Quality Increment of Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch) Chandler

Aims: Strawberry, being introduced recently to the fruit industry of Pakistan, is a new commodity therefore the growers are still unaware of the optimum fertilizer dose needed to obtain better yield. To achieve this goal the present research study was designed to optimize the proper dose of Potassium (K) for strawberry under the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar-Pakistan.
Place and Duration of Study: The Research was conducted in open field conditions at newly Developed Farm (NDF) at Horticulture section, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during 2011-12.
Methodology: Phenotypic parameters such as days to flowering, fruit set, fruit maturity, number of fruit, number of runners, fruit size, fruit yield and physiological aspects such as fruit acidity, ascorbic acid, TSS and pH were evaluated to test potassium dose optimization for better yield of strawberries.
Results: The results obtained (for various yield and quality related attributes) were then compared with that of untreated control plants. The evaluation depicted some significantly influenced parameters attributed to different levels of Potassium. Days to flowering, fruit set, fruit maturity, number of fruit, runners, fruit size, total yield, fruit acidity, ascorbic acid, TSS and pH were efficiently influenced by Potassium applied at 70 kg ha-1.
Conclusion: Results findings lead to conclusion that Potassium should be applied at 70 kg ha-1 in order to get good yield and to improve the quality of strawberry fruits under the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar.