By Admin 
In today’s era, strawberry cultivation is emerging as a high profitable crop for the farmers in a short period of time. Its demand is continuously increasing in the market, but good price is available only when the fruits are of large size, dark red in color and juicy. Many times farmers work hard, but due to lack of proper technology and information, the fruits remain small or their color and taste become weak.
In fact, water and sunlight alone are not enough in strawberry cultivation. To get better production and excellent market rates, it is important to pay attention to every small aspect. If you also want more profit from your crop, then definitely adopt these important things.
1. Choosing the right variety is the biggest secret
The first step to success in strawberry cultivation is to select the right variety. The climate of every area is different, hence the variety should be chosen accordingly. Improved varieties like Chandler, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie and Winter Dawn are known for larger size, better color and good taste. Having the right variety makes the plant strong and the weight of the fruit also increases. Always buy plants from a trusted nursery and check their quality.
2. Proper preparation of soil will produce a strong crop.
Soil preparation is very important for a good crop. Light, friable and rich in organic matter soil is considered most suitable for strawberries. The pH of the soil should be between 5.5 to 6.5. Adding rotted cow dung or vermicompost at the time of field preparation increases the fertility of the soil, which strengthens the roots and helps the plant grow faster.
3. Fertilizer and nutrition will give big and shiny fruits
Manure and nutrition are considered to be the biggest secret of strawberry cultivation. For good production, it is beneficial to mix 19:19:19 NPK soluble fertilizer in 1 to 1.5 grams per liter of water and give it as drip or foliar spray every 10–15 days. Increasing the amount of potash before flowering improves the size and weight of the fruit. At the same time, balanced spraying of calcium nitrate and boron makes the fruit shiny and uniform.
4. Drip irrigation will provide the right balance
Balance of irrigation is very important in strawberry. Too much water can cause the fruits to rot, while too little water can cause the fruits to remain small. Regular and controlled irrigation should be done at the time of fruit formation. Drip irrigation is considered best for this crop, because it maintains proper moisture in the soil and there is no wastage of water.
5. Mulching will increase quality and production
Mulching is an important technique for good and clean fruits. By poly mulch or straw mulching, soil temperature is controlled, moisture remains for a longer period and weeds grow less. Along with this, fungicides and insecticides should be used in balanced manner from time to time to protect against pests and diseases.
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