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Strawberry Cultivation Along with Lohakat (xylia Dolabriformis) Tree as Agroforestry System

E. Mallick
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

M.A. Wadud
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

G.M.M Rahman
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A field experiment was conducted at the Agroforestry Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during the period from July 2012 to April 2013 with the aim of evaluating the growth performance of strawberry (Fragaria anaanassa) grown as intercrop with five years old Lohakat (Xylia dolabriformis) trees. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Different distances from tree base viz. 0-0.5m, 0.5-1.0m and 1.0-1.5m were treatments of this study. There is a control treatments i.e., without tree condition or open field. The individual plot size was 6m x 2m and each plot contains two lohakat tree maintain 3m distance from one to another. In this study growth and yield of strawberry was observed as fruit production purpose. Growth and yield of strawberry in association with Lohakat tree was remarkably decreased with decreasing distance towards the tree base and the variation was very wide near the Lohakat tree base compare to open field condition. The result showed that morphological characteristics viz. plant height, no. of leaves per plant, leaf size, leaf area (cm²), number of flower per plant, number of fruit per plant, fruit length (cm), fruit girth (cm), fruit weight (g) of strawberry was less vigorous near the Lohakat tree base. Highest number of flower per plant (52.87), fruit per plant (31.13) and percent fruit setting (58.885) was in open field condition which were almost identical in 1.0-1.5m distance area (51.83, 30.45 and 58.75%) and lowest value was recorded in 0-0.5m distance area (26.08, 12.03 and 46.13%) from tree base. Maturity period of strawberry fruit decreased with decreasing distance from tree base and average maturity period was 18.0 days and it ranges from 13-25 days. Strawberry fruit harvest starts from the month of December but it was optimum in January and after that it continued upto March with reducing rate. Individual fruit weight was highest in open field condition (17.81g) followed by 1.0-1.5m (17.53g), 0.5-1.0m (11.8g) and 0-0.5m (7.45g) distance area from Lohakat tree base. Yield of fruit was highest in open field condition 33.00t/ha which was 3.73, 56.35 and 83.84% lower in 1.0-1.5m, 0.5-1.0m and 0-0.5m distance area from Lohakat tree base, respectively.

Keywords: Strawberry, Lohakt-Xylia dolabriformis, Intercropping, Agroforestry system

Location: Agroforestry Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-07-2012

End Date: 00-04-2013

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Lohakat, Strawberry

Objectives:

1. To investigate the effect of Lohakat tree on growth and yield performance of strawberry.

Methodology:

Study site: The experiment was carried out at the experimental farm in the project field under department of Agroforestry in Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from July 2012 to April 2013. The place is geographically located between 24⁰75´ North latitude and 90⁰50´ East Longitude. Plant materials: Plant materials of this study were Lohakat (Xylia dolabriformis) tree and strawberry (Fragaria anaanassa) as herbaceous crops. Lohakat tree was planted in the study plots five years ago i.e., in the year of 2008. Strawberry seedlings were raised at the department of agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh on polybags. Tree establishment and management: During the study period lohakat tree were well established and average height and girth of Lohakat trees were 6.59 m and 0.25 m, respectively. The trees were pruned before final land preparation. So the strawberry plants get the sunlight directly. It enhances the growth of strawberry plants. Seedling establishment: The seedlings of strawberry were raised in the poly bag from vegetative parts of plant i.e. runner during July to October, 2012. 10×6 inch size poly bags were used raising seedling as supported materials. Total 200 seedlings were raised for this study. Strawberry is commercially propagated by runner plants. For large scale propagation of virus free plants, tissue culture is widely used. Experimental design and treatment combination: The study was laid out following the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. In each replication two lohakat trees were included in a 6m × 2m size plot. In this plot total 63 {(5 × 13) – 2 = 63} strawberry plants included surrounding the both lohakat trees and the position of strawberry. Different treatments of the study were the different distances from lohakat tree base and the treatments of this were as: T₀ = Open field referred to as control, T₁ = 0.5 meter distance from the tree, T₂= 1.5 to 1.0 meter distance from the tree, and T₃ = 1.0 to 1.5 meter distance from the tree. Seedling Transplantation: The seedlings of strawberry were transplanted into the main field during the month of late September, 2012. Healthy and vigorous seedlings were planted inside the center of the pit. Total 180 (3 replications × 60 seedlings per replication) seedlings of strawberry plants were planted in three different plots as three replications. All seedling of strawberry were transplanted maintaining the spacing of 50cm × 40cm. Seedling planted in the plots were watered immediately after transplanting. Intercultural operation: Different intercultural operations viz. irrigation, weeding, fertilization, pest control, removal of runner, net setting and mulching were done for better growth of strawberry plants. Irrigation, weeding, fertilization and pest control were done it was required. Runners are removed from the plants as they appear, in order to encourage the plants to put most of their energy into fruit development. It also helps in vigorous growth of plants. Strawberry is a colorful fruit which is very much attract by different birds. To protect this fruit from birds it is essential to cover the whole plot by net. For this purpose all experimental plots were surrounded as well as over the plots by nets. Mulch need be applied over strawberries to protect the plants from extreme winter cold and from damage to the roots caused by rapid freezing and thawing of the soil. Three to five inch layer of straw mulch were applied into the plot in the early December but after every 20-25 days it was renewed for irrigation purpose Fruit Harvesting: In this study harvest was started 70 days after planting i. e., mid December, 2012 and it was continued upto March 2013. Harvesting is done regularly three to four weeks after flowering. All fruits were harvested by entirely hand picking. When the entire fruits appeared as red/pink color then the fruits were harvest. After harvest size and weight of the each fruit was measured. Data Collection: Data were recorded for growth parameters, flower and fruit information, yield and yield attributes from every plant of every plot. For growth purpose plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, leaf area (cm²) was measured. Regarding flower information first flowering date, Fruit maturity period (days), number of flower per plant was recorded. Regarding fruit information number of fruit per plant, fruit length (cm), fruit girth (cm), fruit weight (g) was determined. Based on number of flower and fruit per plant, percent fruit setting also measured. Yield was determined as per plant (g), per plot (kg) and it was also converted as t/ha. Statistical analysis: The recorded data were compiled and analyzed by RCBD design to find out the statistical significance of the experimental results. The means for all recorded data were calculated and the analyses of variance for all the characters were performed. The mean differences were evaluated by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DMRT) and also by Least Significant Difference (LSD) test.

Source of Information: J. Agrofor. Environ. 7 (1): 1-6, 2013; ISSN 1995-6983

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Growth and yield of strawberry in association with Lohakat tree was remarkably decreased with decreasing distance towards the tree base and the variation was very wide near the Lohakat tree base compare to open field condition. The result showed that morphological characteristics viz. plant height, no. of leaves per plant, leaf size, leaf area (cm²), number of flower per plant, number of fruit per plant, fruit length (cm), fruit girth (cm), fruit weight (g) of strawberry was less vigorous near the Lohakat tree base. Highest number of flower per plant (52.87), fruit per plant (31.13) and percent fruit setting (58.885) was in open field condition which were almost identical in 1.0-1.5m distance area (51.83, 30.45 and 58.75%) and lowest value was recorded in 0-0.5m distance area (26.08, 12.03 and 46.13%) from tree base. Maturity period of strawberry fruit decreased with decreasing distance from tree base and average maturity period was 18.0 days and it ranges from 13-25 days. Strawberry fruit harvest starts from the month of December but it was optimum in January and after that it continued upto March with reducing rate. Individual fruit weight was highest in open field condition (17.81g) followed by 1.0-1.5m (17.53g), 0.5-1.0m (11.8g) and 0-0.5m (7.45g) distance area from Lohakat tree base. Yield of fruit was highest in open field condition 33.00t/ha which was 3.73, 56.35 and 83.84% lower in 1.0-1.5m, 0.5-1.0m and 0-0.5m distance area from Lohakat tree base, respectively.

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