Performance of strawberry genotypes at high altitude temperate climate under different growing environments

Abstract

The present study was carried out at an altitude of 2200 m above mean sea level representing high altitude temperate climate, where prevalence of severe winter and spring chilling frost as well as hail storm are common climatic features. Out of 21 genotypes evaluated under open conditions, only five viz., Camarosa, Blakemore, Chandler, Gorella, and Oso Grande were found to be promising in terms of plant growth, flowering, fruit yield and fruit quality. Under open field conditions plant mortality due to frost injury was as high as 69.4%. However, all these five cultivars showed lower plant mortality and higher fruit yield. These cultivars were further evaluated under green house and low poly tunnel conditions. Under green house condition fruit yield ranged from 110.0 to 126.6 g/plant. Days from full bloom to harvest were reduced to 30.4 days in comparison to 36.8 days under open conditions. Cultivars under low poly tunnels also performed better, with a yield range of 81.6 to 100.6 g/plant and took only 32.1 days from full bloom to harvest. Average leaf area under greenhouse and poly tunnels was significantly higher (56.4 and 48.5 cm2 respectively) than the open environment (21.4 cm2). Under protected conditions cultivars Camarosa and Blakemore performed better.