Growth Dynamics and Morphological Responses of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Winter Dawn to Compost Granules and Biodynamic Formulations under Semi-Arid Conditions of Southern Rajasthan, India
Shaifali Tanwar *
Department of Horticulture, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan) – 313001, India.
S. S. Lakhawat
Department of Horticulture, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan) – 313001, India.
Virendra Singh
Department of Horticulture, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan) – 313001, India.
Ram Hari Meena
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan) – 313001, India.
Devendra Jain
Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan) – 313001, India.
P.B. Singh
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan) – 313001, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present investigation was conducted during 2024–25 and 2025–26 at the Horticulture Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effects of compost granules and biodynamic formulations on the vegetative growth and morphological attributes of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Winter Dawn under semi-arid conditions. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with sixteen treatment combinations and three replications. Four compost granule treatments, comprising combinations of vermicompost, enriched compost and NADEP compost, were assigned to the main plots, while biodynamic preparations BD-500 and BD-501 were allocated to the sub-plots. Growth parameters, including the number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width and plant height, were recorded at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after transplanting (DAT). The results indicated that the integrated application of compost granules significantly influenced all vegetative growth attributes. The treatment comprising equal proportions of vermicompost, enriched compost and NADEP compost recorded the highest values for all growth parameters compared with the control. Similarly, the combined application of BD-500 and BD-501 resulted in better vegetative performance than the individual biodynamic treatments and the control. The improvement in growth parameters may be associated with enhanced nutrient availability, improved soil organic matter content and better nutrient-use efficiency under organic amendments. Biodynamic formulations may also have contributed to improved plant physiological activity and soil–plant interactions. The study suggests that the integrated use of compost granules and biodynamic preparations can improve vegetative growth and crop establishment in strawberry under semi-arid conditions. These findings support the potential of organic nutrient management strategies for sustainable strawberry production while maintaining soil health and ecological balance.
Keywords: Strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa, Winter Dawn, compost granules, vermicompost, enriched compost, NADEP compost, biodynamic preparations, vegetative growth, semi-arid conditions