Effect of plant spacing on yield and quality of strawberry cv. Festival in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya

An experiment was conducted to see the effect of plant spacing on growth, flowering, fruiting, yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa L.) cv. Festival in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya during 2014–2015. The study area is situated approximately between the longitudes 90° 30′ and 89° 40′E, and the latitudes of 26° and 25° 20′ N. Runners of strawberry were planted under 9 different spacings, viz. T₁, 15 cm × 25 cm × 100 cm; T₂, 15 cm × 30 cm × 100 cm; T₃, 15 cm × 35 cm × 100 cm; T₄, 20 cm × 25 cm × 100 cm; T₅, 20 cm × 30 cm × 100 cm; T₆, 20 cm × 35 cm × 100 cm; T₇, 25 cm × 25 cm × 100 cm; T₈, 25 cm × 30 cm × 100 cm; T₉, 25 cm × 35 cm × 100 cm (plant-to-plant, row-to-row and trench-to-trench). The highest plant height and spread in north-south and east-west direction were recorded with spacing of 15 cm × 25 cm × 100 cm (T₁). The highest TSS: acid ratio in fruits (36.80) was observed in T₇ (25 cm × 25 cm × 100 cm). Plants spaced at 15 cm × 30 cm × 100 cm (T₂) produced highest number of flowers and fruits, fruit setting, larger fruits of higher fruit weight, highest yield/plant and highest productivity and also highest vitamin C content in fruits.