Economic analysis of containerized growing strawberries with the use of different growing medias in a sub-tropical environment

The present study sought to determine the economics of soilless containerized strawberries planted in different types of containers with various dimensions using different ratio combinations of growing media. The experiment was carried out at Research Farm, Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Main campus, Chatha, during the year 2020-21. Three replicates of each plant were tested using six types of containers having diferent dimensions (i.e. Polyethylene bags, PVC pots, Plastic baskets, Root trainer tray, Plastic tray and Earthen pots) in factorial randomised block design. The strawberry plants were planted in containers filled with a growing media of coco peat, perlite and vermicompost in the following ratios: 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 3:1:1, 4:0:1, 4:1:0, 4:1:1, respectively, and control. At the end of the study, the significant differences were observed with respect to benefit cost ratio in strawberry due to influence of various media combination and size of container. Economically, the polyethylene bags with combination ratio (3:1:1) of growing media gave highest (1:1.70) benefit cost ratio while lowest (1:0.40) benefit cost ratio was reported in Root trainer tray with combination ratio of 4:1:0 (T₅). But overall performance provided by plants raised in PVC pots with a growing media ratio of 3:1:1 (C₂T₃) had significantly greater height, higher growth, maximum flowering and fruiting with benefit cost ratio of 1:1.56. Economically, it is recommended that the polyethylene bags with growing media of ratio 3:1:1 gave better results and can be used for commercial cultivation with higher returns.