It is an important fruit crop of India. It is highly perishable and soft fruit. It is commercially grown in the temperate or sub-tropical areas. It is a good source of vitamin C. Its fruits are used for various purposes such as for making ice-creams and jams. In India, strawberry farming is mainly done in hills. In India, It is mainly grown in Nanital, Dehradun, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kashmir, Bangalore, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh.

In Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar is major strawberry growing area. Now a days, its sangli, Pune, Nashik also cultivate strawberry on small scale. In Maharashtra, overall, near about 910 hectare area is under strawberry cultivation. 
 

Mainly strawberries require loamy soil having well drainage system and are rich in organic matter. The pH of soil should range from 5.7-6.5 which is slightly acidic. Avoid cultivation in acidic soil as it enhances poor root formation. Avoid cultivation of strawberry in the same land for the number of years. Also soils having nematodes infection should be avoided for its cultivation. To overcome fungal disease, soil should be fumigated.

Chandler: Fruit is cone shaped, sometimes long and flat, shining, smooth and attractive, flesh has same color as of fruit, hard and strong, medium sized plant, straight, medium ability to produce runner, self-pollinating variety.

Selva (mid hills): Unaffected variety from long day, cone shaped fruit, sweet flesh which is hard and red in color, sweet-sour in taste, more storage capacity, less danger of pest and diseases. It gives an average yield of 200-250gm/plant. 

Fern: Early maturing /ripening and over bearing variety. Fruits are medium to large size. Flesh of fruit is red, firm with excellent taste. Fruits are suitable for processing purpose.

Pajaro: Fruits are large with firm flesh. It is tolerant to virus. Fruits are used for processing purpose.

Pusa Early dwarf: Dwarf variety, suitable for north Indian plain. It has large firm wedge-shaped fruits.

Sweet Charley, Winter Don

Other state varieties:

Srinagar, Royal Sovereign and Dilpasand are suitable.

Katrain Sweet: It is rich in aroma and is softer in taste.

Premier, red coat, local, Jeolikot, Florida 90.

Tioga: It has large shaped fruit, flesh and peel is relatively hard and tasty, good keeping quality, suitable for transportation. It contains 0.70% acidic and 7.0% T.S.S content. It is resistant to bacterial disease.

Torrey: It has large shaped fruit which is cone shaped, flesh and peel is relatively less thick, good in taste, suitable for transportation and has good quality. The fruits start mature in first week of April. It contains 0.70% acidic and 7.0% T.S.S content.

Belrubi: Fruits are large, red color with firm flesh.
 

Take deep ploughing and then harrowing and bring soil to fine tilth. At time of last ploughing mix soil with FYM or well decomposed cow dung@10-12ton/acre.  For strawberry planting raised bed , flat beds or matted beds are used. Prepared raised bed of 4mx3m or 4mx4m. 

Time of sowing:
In Maharashtra, ideal time for strawberry planting is from October to March month. In other plain areas, July to August is optimum time for plantation.

Spacing:
For sowing use plant to plant distance of 45cm and row to row distance of 60cm to 75cm.

Sowing depth:
Depth should be 5-7cm.

Method of sowing:  
Transplanting of runners in main field.
 

Propagation is done through runners which are formed after blooming season. Normally single plant produces 8-10 runners but it can go up to sometime 15runners/plant. Propagation can also be done through crowns but it is very time consuming and laborious process. Mainly single plant 3-5 plants/crown.

For propagation purpose, lift runners in month of September and plant it in polythene bag containing, Soil, Sand and FYM or Well decomposed cow dung in proportion of 1:1:2.
 

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

At the time of land preparation, add FYM@10-15tonnes/acre. Overall it required, Nitrogen@50kg/acre (Urea@105kg), Phosphorus@40kg (SSP@250kg) and Potash@30kg per acre (MOP@50kg). Apply whole quantity of Phosphorus and half quantity of Potash at time of field preparation. One month after planting give half dose of Nitrogen. At time of flower formation, apply remaining quantity of Nitrogen and Potash. 

At the time of land preparation, add FYM@10-15tonnes/acre. Overall it required, Nitrogen@50kg/acre (Urea@105kg), Phosphorus@40kg (SSP@250kg) and Potash@30kg per acre (MOP@50kg). Apply whole quantity of Phosphorus and half quantity of Potash at time of field preparation. One month after planting give half dose of Nitrogen. At time of flower formation, apply remaining quantity of Nitrogen and Potash. 

Mulching is an effective for weed control. Add layer of grass leaves or wood fillings in the prepared pits. This will help in weed control and helps to retain moisture in the soil. For one acre land, requires 6tonnes of mulch.

White grub and cut worm: These pests damage the roots and soft stems by cutting them.

Treatment: Spraying of Quinalphos@400ml per acre to get rid of them.

• Disease and their control:
  

Collar or root rot: Brown color layer or spots are seen on the stem which will ultimately spread on roots.

Treatment: Drenching of M-45 or copper oxychloride@400gm per acre is done.

Gray mold: Scorching of flowers and fruit rot is seen by the attack of the fungus.

Treatment: Spraying of M-45 or copper oxychloride@400gm per acre is done.

Red stele disease: Infected plant shows stunted growth, and runner formation is very less and this type of plant will die in winters. New and corner roots get rot and the outer skin of root becomes red in color.

Treatment: Do not do farming in infected fields. 

Leaf spot: Deep purplish brown color spots which are white from center and are round in shape are seen. Long spots are seen on stem of fruits, petals and fruits.

Treatment: Spraying of copper oxychloride@400gm per acre is done.

Fruit starts maturing in April month. 2-3 years crops are taken but after 2 years the yield will reduced. Harvesting is done when half to three fourth of the skin develop colors. For local market harvest ripen fruits whereas for distant market, harvest firm fruits. Picking is done on every second or third day mainly in morning hours. After harvesting packing is done in containers and then transportation is done.