ASSESSING THE IMPACTS OF PLANTING DATE AND MULCHING ON THE YIELD ATTRIBUTES OF STRAWBERRY (Fragaria × ananassa DUCH.) (pp. 112-118)
ABSTRACT
The effect of planting date and mulching on the growth and yield of strawberry were investigated at the Horticulture Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from October 2009 to March 2010. The experiment consisted of two factors, namely (i) planting date (15 November and 1 December) and (ii) mulching (no mulch, black polyethylene mulch, rice straw mulch and water hyacinth mulch). The two-factor experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The size of each unit plot was 1.8 m × 1.8 m. Thirty-five days old seedlings of strawberry of variety RU-3 were transplanted on the specific planting dates. The effect of planting dates and mulching and their combined effect showed significant variations on the yield attributes of strawberry. Planting date significantly influenced all the parameters examined. The results of the experiment revealed that 15 November resulted in early flowering (38.96 days) and higher fruit yield (151.19 g/plant) than those planted on 1 December. Plants mulched with black polyethylene exhibited early flowering (37.90 days), produced larger fruit (13.10 g) with higher yield (190.05 g/plant) than those under rice straw, water hyacinth or no mulch. Fruit yield per plot (3.21 kg) was significantly higher in plants mulched with black polyethylene. The combination of planting date and mulching also showed marked effect on the studied yield attributes. The highest fruit yield per plot (3.41 kg) was achieved from the treatment combination of 15 November planting with black polyethylene mulch.