3.1. Growth indexes and chlorophyll index
Under the organic nutrition regime, there were notable variations in plant height, plant spread in both east-west (EW) and north-south (NS) directions, and the number of trifoliate leaves across different treatments, as outlined in Table 1. Treatment combination 60% RDN through Vermicompost (90 g/m2) + 30% through neem cake (45 g/m2) and biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya + VAM each 50 ml/plant (T9) emerged as the most favourable treatment, showcasing superior vegetative growth outcomes in comparison to other treatments. In particular, T9 exhibited the highest plant height, reaching 6.73 cm and 13.33 cm at 45 and 90 days after planting (DAP), respectively. Following closely was treatment combination 60% RDN through Vermicompost (180 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya + VAM each @ 50 ml/plant (T6), with plant heights of 6.69 cm and 12.10 cm at the respective time points. Conversely, the control group (T10) displayed the least impressive performance, with minimum plant heights recorded at 3.71 cm and 10.12 cm at 45 and 90 DAP, respectively.
Table 1
Effect of organic nutrition management on plant height, plant spread and no. of trifoliate leaves of strawberry cv. Flavia.
Treatments
|
Plant height
(cm)
|
Plant spread EW
(cm)
|
Plant spread NS
(cm)
|
No. of trifoliate leaves per plant
|
45 DAP
|
90 DAP
|
45 DAP
|
90 DAP
|
45 DAP
|
90 DAP
|
45 DAP
|
90 DAP
|
T1
|
4.34b
|
10.57ab
|
10.61ab
|
17.97b
|
9.90a
|
17.87a
|
4.20a
|
14.21a
|
T2
|
4.44bc
|
10.68ab
|
10.70bc
|
18.30b
|
10.33b
|
18.78b
|
4.40a
|
14.20a
|
T3
|
4.70cd
|
11.00b
|
11.03bc
|
19.27c
|
10.60b
|
19.67b
|
4.77b
|
14.27a
|
T4
|
5.04e
|
11.06b
|
14.07d
|
20.43d
|
11.83c
|
21.45c
|
5.07c
|
14.83ab
|
T5
|
4.82de
|
11.02b
|
11.53c
|
19.50c
|
10.80c
|
20.89c
|
4.87bc
|
14.30a
|
T6
|
6.69f
|
12.10c
|
14.90e
|
22.23e
|
13.63d
|
23.64d
|
5.80d
|
15.50b
|
T7
|
5.73e
|
11.89c
|
14.67de
|
21.60de
|
13.47d
|
22.78d
|
5.79d
|
15.27b
|
T8
|
5.40f
|
11.69c
|
14.40de
|
20.83de
|
13.13c
|
21.64c
|
5.77d
|
15.20b
|
T9
|
6.73f
|
13.33d
|
15.87e
|
24.63f
|
14.00e
|
25.59e
|
5.97d
|
17.40c
|
T10
|
3.71a
|
10.12a
|
10.23a
|
16.50a
|
8.97a
|
16.98a
|
4.17a
|
14.09a
|
*Differences marked by distinct letters in the same column are statistically significant (P < 0.05). |
Where, T1 − 100% RDN through vermicompost (300 g/m2), T2 − 100% RDN through neem cake (150 g/m2), T3 − 100% RDN through vermicompost (150 g/m2 ) + neem cake (75 g/m2), T4 − 80% RDN through vermicompost (240 g/m2) + biochar (500 g/m2) + Amritpani (25 ml/plant) + VAM (25 ml/plant), T5 − 80% RDN through neem cake (120 g/m2) + biochar (500 g/m2) + Amritpani (25 ml/plant) + VAM (25 ml/plant), T6 − 80% RDN through vermicompost (120 g/m2) + neem cake (60 g/m2) + biochar (500 g/m2) + Amritpani (25 ml/plant) + VAM (25 ml/plant), T7 − 60% RDN through vermicompost (180 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya (50 ml/plant ) + VAM (50 ml/plant), T8 − 60% RDN through neem cake (90 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya (50 ml/plant ) + VAM (50 ml/plant), T9 − 60% RDN through vermicompost (90 g/m2) + neem cake (45 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya (50 ml/plant) + VAM (50 ml/plant) and T10 –control.
Similarly, T9 reflected the most expansive plant spread, excelling in both the east-west (EW) and north-south (NS) directions. At 45 and 90 DAP, T9 demonstrated remarkable plant spread values of 15.87 cm and 24.63 cm (EW) and 14.00 cm and 25.49 cm (NS), respectively. The number of trifoliate leaves was also significantly higher under T9, registering 5.97 and 17.40 at 45 and 90 DAP.
Furthermore, T9 exhibited superiority in other key growth parameters, including leaf area (48.76 cm2), stem girth (3.41 cm), and chlorophyll index (57.90 SPAD), surpassing the performance of other treatments and the control group (Table 2).
Table 2
Effect of organic nutrition management on leaf area, stem girth and chlorophyll index of strawberry cv. Flavia.
Treatments
|
Leaf area (cm2)
|
Stem girth (cm)
|
Chlorophyll index (SPAD)
|
T1
|
40.13a
|
2.82a
|
47.90b
|
T2
|
40.23a
|
2.96ab
|
48.90bc
|
T3
|
40.45ab
|
2.99ab
|
50.00bcd
|
T4
|
43.57c
|
3.07ab
|
51.73de
|
T5
|
41.76b
|
3.03ab
|
50.87cde
|
T6
|
46.84d
|
3.33cd
|
55.57ef
|
T7
|
44.87c
|
3.10bc
|
53.40ef
|
T8
|
46.84d
|
3.05ab
|
52.83e
|
T9
|
48.76e
|
3.41d
|
57.90e
|
T10
|
39.55a
|
2.84a
|
44.47a
|
*Differences marked by distinct letters in the same column are statistically significant (P < 0.05). |
Where, T1 − 100% RDN through vermicompost (300 g/m2), T2 − 100% RDN through neem cake (150 g/m2), T3 − 100% RDN through vermicompost (150 g/m2 ) + neem cake (75 g/m2), T4 − 80% RDN through vermicompost (240 g/m2) + biochar (500 g/m2) + Amritpani (25 ml/plant) + VAM (25 ml/plant), T5 − 80% RDN through neem cake (120 g/m2) + biochar (500 g/m2) + Amritpani (25 ml/plant) + VAM (25 ml/plant), T6 − 80% RDN through vermicompost (120 g/m2) + neem cake (60 g/m2) + biochar (500 g/m2) + Amritpani (25 ml/plant) + VAM (25 ml/plant), T7 − 60% RDN through vermicompost (180 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya (50 ml/plant ) + VAM (50 ml/plant), T8 − 60% RDN through neem cake (90 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya (50 ml/plant ) + VAM (50 ml/plant), T9 − 60% RDN through vermicompost (90 g/m2) + neem cake (45 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya (50 ml/plant) + VAM (50 ml/plant) and T10 –control.
These comprehensive findings underscore the overall effectiveness of T9 in promoting robust vegetative growth and physiological development across multiple aspects compared to alternative treatments and the control. The observed highest vegetative growth of strawberry under T9 suggests that this treatment combination may excel due to its incorporation of an optimal nutrient concentration and an ideal blend of nutrient-supplying resources, surpassing the effectiveness of other treatment combinations. Vermicompost and neem cake provide a balanced and slow-release supply of essential nutrients, fostering sustained vegetative growth (Maliwal, 2020). The organic nature of these sources also enhances soil structure and microbial activity, contributing to long-term soil health. The inclusion of biochar aimed to improve nutrient retention, water-holding capacity, and microbial activity in the soil by acting as a stable carbon source, promoting nutrient availability and enhancing overall soil fertility (Hue, 2020; Alkharabsheh et al., 2021). Panchgavya along with VAM, establishes a synergistic relationship with the plant roots. This enhances nutrient uptake and promotes healthier vegetative growth (Khare and Tiwari, 2012; Tiwari et al., 2016; Vallimayil and Sekar 2012).
The findings of the present study are comparable to those reported by Kumar et al. (2022) in chilli using Vermicompost and neem cake combined with RDF as inorganic fertilizers which resulted in improved plant development parameters by raising the amount of nutrients in the soil and improved plant access of those nutrients. Likewise, numerous studies have attributed to encouraged stress-free plant development through Vermicompost which served as a source of additional nutrients and moisture along with neem cake which helped reduce sucking pests (Giraddi et al., 2007; Veena et al., 2017; Rohith et al., 2021). Similarly, significant improvements in Vitis vinifera growth and nutritional content using Panchagavya and microbial fertigation have been reported Geetha and Devaraj (2013). Yuniwati and Lestari 2021 recorded better vegetative growth in kale plant (Brassica oleraceae var. acephala L.) using biochar (6 t/ha) and Bio Land organic liquid fertilizer (15 L/ha). Additionally, Reddy et al. (2013) reported better crop growth in papaya cv. Surya, with 75% RDF applied as farm yard manure + Vermicompost, which was significantly superior that in 100% recommended dose of fertilizer and no manure/fertilizer treatment. Similarly, Devi and Singh (2023) recorded maximum values for the parameters like plant height, petiole length and plant spread along with quality attributes and yield in papaya with a treatment combination of 75% RDF through FYM + Vermicompost + 3% Panchagavya + Amritpani.
3.2. Yield and yield attributing traits
The data pertaining to yield and associated traits reveal noteworthy variations, as outlined in Table 3. Similar to vegetative growth parameters, the treatment combination 60% RDN through Vermicompost (90 g/m2) + neem cake (45 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya + VAM each @ 50 ml/plant (T9) demonstrated superior yield performance compared to other treatments and the control group. T9 exhibited significant results, with higher numbers of fruits per plant (28.14), increased average berry weight (16.53 g), elevated yield per plant (447.88 g), and greater yield efficiency (0.47 kg/cm2). In contrast, the control group (T10) displayed the least favourable outcomes, with the lowest numbers of fruits per plant (19.08), average berry weight (11.00 g), yield per plant (198.85 g), and yield efficiency (0.29 kg/cm2). This notable difference underscores the effectiveness of the treatment combination in T9, highlighting its potential for enhancing yield and yield-related characteristics compared to the control group.
Table 3
Effect of organic nutrition management on no. of fruits/plant, average berry weight, yield/plant and yield efficiency of strawberry cv. Flavia.
Treatments
|
No. of fruits/plant
|
Average berry weight (g)
|
Yield/plant (g)
|
Yield efficiency (kg/cm2)
|
T1
|
21.27b
|
11.53a
|
233.44ab
|
0.31ab
|
T2
|
21.28b
|
11.60ab
|
234.89ab
|
0.31ab
|
T3
|
21.30b
|
11.90ab
|
241.41ab
|
0.32ab
|
T4
|
22.15bc
|
12.23ab
|
259.11abc
|
0.34ab
|
T5
|
21.34b
|
11.97ab
|
243.67ab
|
0.32ab
|
T6
|
24.19e
|
12.58c
|
291.29bc
|
0.30ab
|
T7
|
23.06c
|
14.87bc
|
328.46c
|
0.40bc
|
T8
|
22.76c
|
12.44ab
|
270.47abc
|
0.35ab
|
T9
|
28.14d
|
16.53c
|
447.88d
|
0.47c
|
T10
|
19.08a
|
11.00a
|
198.85a
|
0.29a
|
*Differences marked by distinct letters in the same column are statistically significant (P < 0.05). |
Where, T1 − 100% RDN through vermicompost (300 g/m2), T2 − 100% RDN through neem cake (150 g/m2), T3 − 100% RDN through vermicompost (150 g/m2 ) + neem cake (75 g/m2), T4 − 80% RDN through vermicompost (240 g/m2) + biochar (500 g/m2) + Amritpani (25 ml/plant) + VAM (25 ml/plant), T5 − 80% RDN through neem cake (120 g/m2) + biochar (500 g/m2) + Amritpani (25 ml/plant) + VAM (25 ml/plant), T6 − 80% RDN through vermicompost (120 g/m2) + neem cake (60 g/m2) + biochar (500 g/m2) + Amritpani (25 ml/plant) + VAM (25 ml/plant), T7 − 60% RDN through vermicompost (180 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya (50 ml/plant ) + VAM (50 ml/plant), T8 − 60% RDN through neem cake (90 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya (50 ml/plant ) + VAM (50 ml/plant), T9 − 60% RDN through vermicompost (90 g/m2) + neem cake (45 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya (50 ml/plant) + VAM (50 ml/plant) and T10 –control.
Increment in yield and yield related characters may be attributed to healthy vegetative growth which in turn resulted in higher production in T9. Similar to the outcomes of present study, greater yield of green cabbage has been achieved by Hasan (2018) with the application of treatment combination biochar @ 6 t ha− 1 and Vermicompost @ 8 t ha− 1. Similarly, Song et al. 2023 have recorded higher yields in strawberry with the application of 10 t ha− 1 biochar along with anaerobic soil disinfection. El-Sayed (2024) noted a remarkable enhancement in yield characteristics, including the number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, and fruit yield per feddan, through the application of treatments combining Vermicompost with PSB and VAM, as well as Vermicompost with Azotobacter, Azospirillum, PSB, and VAM in tomato crop. Naidu (2021) recorded highest yield of 3.39 t/ha in sweet orange with a treatment combination of FYM @ 46 kg/plant + Neem cake @ 22 kg/plant + Azospirillum @ 200 g/plant + PSB @ 200 g/plant.