Foliar nutrition with calcium nitrate in strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.): Effect on fruit quality and yield

Study investigates the effect of pre-harvest calcium nitrate sprays on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of ‘Winter Dawn’ strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). Strawberry fruits were sprayed with different doses of Calcium nitrate (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8%) under field conditions. In comparison tothe control, foliar nutrition with Ca(NO₃)₂ significantly improved fruit quality and yield related parameters. Calciumnitrate (0.4%) registered the highest total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and ascorbic acid content over the other treatments and the control. Moreover, maximum fruit size, weight and yield plant⁻¹ was also obtained with Ca(NO₃)₂ at 0.4 per cent. Supplementary calcium feeding played a significant role in enhancing fruit firmness by imparting strength and thickness to fruit cell wall. Therefore, it is intended that foliar feeding Ca(NO₃)₂ at 0.4% is the most effective to extend the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of ‘Winter Dawn’ strawberries.