Effect of Pre-harvest Foliar Application of ZnSO4 and ZnO Nanoparticles on the Plat Growth, Fruit Quality and Yield of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananssa Duch.) cv. Camarosa under Protected Conditions and Assessment of Their Accumulation on Human Health
Anjali Thakur1* and Amit Saurabh2
1Student, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Khem Singh Gill Akal College of Agriculture, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Sirmour (H.P.) - 173101, India
2Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Khem Singh Gill Akal College of Agriculture, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Sirmour (H.P.) - 173101, India
*Corresponding Author: Anjali Thakur, Student, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Khem Singh Gill Akal College of Agriculture, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Sirmour (H.P.) - 173101, India.
Published: December 05, 2024
Abstract
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is a high value and low volume fruit crop that is highly appreciated worldwide for its good taste, aroma as well as health benefits. The present study was conducted to determine if the pre-harvest foliar application of ZnSO4 and ZnO nanoparticles or their combination influences plant growth, fruit quality, yield as well as fruit and leaves Zn content in strawberry crop variety Camarosa. The study was conducted at Experimental Farm Chhapang, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Khem Singh Gill Akal College of Agriculture, Eternal University, Baru Sahib during 2019-20 and laid out in Randomized Block Design. The treatments consisted of 10 treatment combinations of various concentrations of ZnSO4 and ZnO nanoparticles along with control replicated thrice. Foliar application was given 45 days after transplanting of crop. The observations were recorded in terms of vegetative, quality and yield parameters along with concentrations of Zn present in leaves and fruits. Results indicated that among different treatments applied the combination comprising of ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ ZnO NPs @ 150 ppm recorded best results in terms of all quantitative and qualitative characters. Also same treatment recorded maximum retention of Zn in fruits as well as leaves. In addition the health risk index for Zn content was less than, which proved that the application of ZnSO4 and ZnO nanoparticles to strawberry does not cause any risk to human health.
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