Efficacy of the CSR bio-inoculant and organic amendments in cultivating strawberry cv. Chandler in salt-affected soils

Abstract: Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) occupies a significant place in the fruit industry, since it is cultivated in both plains and hills. The fruit stands out for its organoleptic and nutraceutical properties and is appreciated worldwide for its economic returns. Despite their high sensitivity to marginal and salt-affected soil, it has potential, as fruit crops perform well in salt-affected soils when grown with the aid of innovative interventions. The current study is one such attempt where a CSR bio-inoculant comprising of salt tolerant and growth promoting rhizobacterial bio-consortia on a unique media developed at ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Insitute, Regional Station, Lucknow was assessed for its field efficacy with enrichment of different organic amendments. The field experiment was conducted during 2018-19 at the Horticulture Research Farm of the Department of Horticulture at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India, on Strawberry cv. Chandler grown on partially reclaimed alkali soil of central Uttar Pradesh. The study was laid out in RBD with twelve treatment combinations and control, replicated thrice. The results showed that runners treated with CSR bio-inoculant and applied with FYM, municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and paddy straw mulching had a significant influence on fruit yield and physicochemical properties. The maximum fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit size, fruit weight, fruit dry weight, fruit volume, fruit yield/plant (131.06g), and fruit yield/ha. (194.16q) were all statistically significant over the control in the treatment with 75% NPK+ MSWC + Mulch (Paddy straw) + CSR bio-inoculant. The experimental findings revealed that treatment with CSR bi-inoculant and 75% NPK+MSWC+paddy straw mulch could increase the yield of strawberry cv. Chandler under salt stress conditions without hampering the soil fertility status, particularly in the subtropical region of the country.