Introduction and evaluation of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivars in high altitude areas of Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

A study was conducted at Defence Research Laboratory Research and Development Centre (DRL R&D Centre) Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh; AR), located at an altitude of 3015 m asl to introduce and evaluate two cultivars of strawberry namely cv. Sweet Charlie and cv. Winter Dawn and to standardize its cultivation under protected conditions in the year 2019.The cultivars were evaluated based on the growth parameters, fruit quality, functional and organoleptic characters, and their yield performance. Based on present studies, it has been found that the strawberry has immense potential for its commercial cultivation in Tawang region of AP. The cv. Sweet Charlie and cv. Winter Dawn were found significantly different with respect to few growth parameters, fruit quality, functional and organoleptic properties. However, the cultivars were on par in major growth parameters and yield per unit area. The performance of these cultivars is at national level. Hence, the cultivars Sweet Charlie and Winter Dawn can be recommended for the general cultivation under protected condition in high altitude areas of Tawang, AP.