Effect of foliar application of calcium and iron chelates on growth, yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa duch.) under polyhouse condition

A field trial was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj during 2024-25 to evaluate the impact of foliar-applied calcium and iron chelates on growth, yield and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Winter Dawn under polyhouse conditions. Seventeen treatments—including an untreated control—were imposed with varying concentrations and combinations of Ca-EDTA and Fe-EDTA. The layout followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. Among all treatments, T14 (1,250 ppm Ca-EDTA + 500 ppm Fe-EDTA) produced the most vigorous plants and highest yields. It achieved the greatest plant height (30.41 cm), plant spread (38.43 cm), leaf number per plant (39.48) and fruit number per plant (15.40). Yield reached 381.96 g per plant (116.88 kg per 250 m²), while fruit quality improved markedly—total soluble solids climbed to 10.73 °Brix, ascorbic acid to 60.17 mg /100 g and juice content to 96.23 %. This treatment also delivered the top benefit-cost ratio (4.20), confirming that foliar application of Ca and Fe chelates substantially enhances strawberry productivity and quality under protected cultivation.