EVALUATION OF STRAWBERRY (FRAGARIA × ANANASSA DUCH.) CULTIVARS FOR MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE

Horticultural Research Institute, AARI, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Institute Faisalabad, Pakistan for selection of suitable cultivar of strawberry in subtropical climate. Two cultivars of strawberry (Chandler and Henyo) were grown under randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Runners were planted in the month of October-November. Some morphological and physicohemical traits were evaluated. It was observed that the cultivar Chandler displayed good success (45.50%), with more leaves (7.67) and roots (41.33). Chander cultivar produced heavy and lengthy fruit with more Juice, hence it gave more fruit yield (16.26 g), length (3.56 cm), juice contents (64.78 %) and gave more yield (371.43 g). On the other hand, the maximum total soluble solids (TSS) 7.90% was observed in Henyo with highest acidity (0.91%) and high pH (4.56). Therefore, it is recommended that Chandler cv. is most suitable for cultivation in subtropical climate of Pakistan.