Effect of nutrients and plant growth regulators on growth, yield and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Winter Dawn

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of nutrients and plant growth regulators on the performance of strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Winter Dawn under subtropical conditions in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The experiment consisted of seven treatments: T₁ – Control, T₂ – 100% RDF + GA₃ (100 ppm), T₃ – 100% RDF + NAA (100 ppm), T₄ – 100% RDF + Triacontanol (10 ppm), T₅ – 75% RDF + GA₃ (100 ppm), T₆ – 75% RDF + NAA (100 ppm) and T₇ – 75% RDF + Triacontanol (10 ppm), each replicated thrice in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Among the treatments, the application of GA₃ at 100 ppm with 100% RDF (T₂) stood out, significantly improving plant height, number of leaves, plant spread and ultimately delivering the highest yield per plant (183.6 g). This treatment also enhanced the biochemical composition of the fruit, showing increased levels of ascorbic acid, total sugars and reducing sugars. On the other hand, the combination of NAA at 100 ppm with 100% RDF (T₃) produced the sweetest fruits with the highest TSS (7.65°Brix), lowest acidity (0.68%) and the best TSS:acid ratio (11.25), indicating superior flavor and quality.Among the best treatment combinations, T₂ (100% RDF + GA₃ 100 ppm) improved strawberry fruit quality by enhancing ascorbic acid content, total sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars, increasing TSS and improving the TSS:acid ratio while slightly reducing acidity.These findings suggest that the use of GA₃ with full nutrient application can greatly enhance both the vegetative and reproductive performance of strawberries. Meanwhile, NAA offers a promising approach for improving fruit taste and market appeal. Adopting these treatments could help strawberry growers achieve better yields and improved fruit quality under similar agro-climatic conditions.