Sequential foliar application of vermicompost leachates improves marketable fruit yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of foliar application of vermicompost leachates on growth, yield and quality of strawberry (Cv. Chandler). For this, three leachates collected from vermicomposting of cow dung (FCD), vegetable waste (FVW) and mixture of cow dung and vegetable waste in 1:2 ratio (FCVW) were used at 2 ml l⁻¹ at monthly interval (total five sprays) in strawberry. The results indicated that foliar application of vermicompost leachates improved leaf area (10.1–18.9%), dry matter of plant (13.9–27.2%) and fruit yield (9.8–13.9%) significantly over control (water spray only). Foliar application of FCVW reduced albinism (from 12.1 to 5.7%), fruit malformation (11.2–8.5%) and grey mould (5.1–2.6%) thus improving marketable fruit yield (26.5% higher) with firmer fruits of better quality. The foliar application of FCD and FVW also improved these parameters and resulted in to higher marketable fruit yield (12.6 and 17.8% higher, respectively) compared to control. The study confirmed that leachates derived from composting processes have potential use as foliar fertilization for strawberry.