Year: 2025 | Month: December | Volume 70 | Issue 4
Agronomic and Economic Impact of Mulching Systems on Strawberry Cultivation in North-East India
Chumki Dutta
Samir Medhi and Sanjeet Kumar Borah
DOI:10.46852/0424-2513.4.2025.15
Abstract:
A two-year field investigation (2017–2018) was conducted at research and farmer’s field sites in Meghalaya, India, to evaluate the agronomic performance and economic viability of seven strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars under three mulching systems-black polyethylene, paddy straw, and Deenanath grass. Using a split-plot design, growth, yield, quality parameters, runner production, weed suppression, and disease incidence were recorded. Black polyethylene mulch produced the tallest plants, highest leaf
number, and superior weed control, reducing weeding costs by 25–30%. Deenanath grass mulch achieved the highest proportion of early yield (85%), enabling earlier market entry. ‘Festival’ and ‘Camarosa’ produced the largest fruits, while ‘Sweet Charlie’ recorded the highest per-plant yield. Economic analysis revealed high profitability, with net returns of ` 4.19 lakh per bigha in College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, CAU research site and ` 8.48 lakh in Sohliya village over six years, aided by premium prices from early harvest under plasticulture. The findings demonstrate that strategic mulching and cultivar selection can significantly enhance productivity, fruit quality, and profitability in North-East Indian strawberry production systems.
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