ORGANIC BIO-STIMULATOR APPLICATION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF STRAWBERRY

The application of inorganic and synthetic chemicals has increased vastly and has a negative impact on human health as well as environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of organic bio-stimulator on growth and yield attributes of strawberry. The experiment was consisted of four treatments, T₀: Control; T₁: Neem oil; T₂: Bordeaux mixture; T₃: Clybio; and arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The effects on vegetative growth, yield attributes and fruit quality (Brix %) were investigated and they showed significant variation. Furthermore, strawberry fruit color (fruit skin and flesh) measured and expressed through L* (lightness), a* and b* (two Cartesian coordinates) including C* and hab (Chroma & Hue angle) based on CIELab scale. The results showed that, Clybio (T₃) and Bordeaux mixture (T₂) treatment more prominently enhanced vegetative growth (crown height, SPAD value, runner number) and yield attributes (flower number, fruit length); maximum fruit number (26.3), fruit weight (25.3 g), Brix value (7.1) recorded in T₃ treatment, and Clybio led to greater improvement in fruit yield (69.6%) over control treatment. So, it can be concluded that Clybio can be recommended as a bio-fertilizer that had the bio-stimulating impact to improve vegetative growth as well as higher yield.