Varietal Screening of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) under Organic Production System for Fruit Quality and Yield in Mid-Hills of Sikkim Himalayas

Experiments were conducted at ICAR Sikkim Centre, Tadong at an elevation of 1400 m amsl during 2006–09 to study the performance of 11 strawberry varieties in the mid-hills of Sikkim Himalayas. Observations on vegetative parameters, fruit quality and yield were recorded for the selected varieties. The highest fruiting stalk/plant (11.67) was recorded in Chandler followed by Ofra (10.87). Maximum number of runners were in Hasta and Etna (14 and 14, respectively). Fruits/infl orescence were highest in Seascab (7.67). Fruit diameter was highest in Blackmore (3.30 cm) followed by Ofra (3.16 cm) whereas the fruit length was longest in Ofra and Chandler (4.97 and 4.94 cm, respectively). Maximum fruit weight (20 g) was recorded in Ofra. Highest TSS (7.20%) and total sugar (6.18) were recorded in Elsanta. Lowest acidity (0.89 %) was observed in Chandle followed by Ofra and Selva. Highest yield (37.2 t/ha) was recorded in Ofra, and the maximum marketable yield and B:C ratio were recorded in Chandler (32.6 t/ha and 2.26, respectively).