Comparative Study of the Floral Biology and Fruit Growth Among Six Strawberry varieties at Sylhet district in Bangladesh

The study was conducted to characterize the timing and duration of flowering events in different strawberry varieties and to assess the anatomical and morphological features of strawberry flowers focusing on key structures involved in reproduction. Six promising varieties named Linosa (V1), BARI 1 (V2), Sweet Charlie (V3), Sweetheart (V4), American Festival (V5) and RABI 3 (V6) having RCBD design were selected. Different parameters including flowers and fruits were recorded. The Sweet Charlie genotype, which was ever bearing in nature and gave production of flower from March to April, the Linosa, BARI 1, and RABI 3 genotypes produced flower approximately from February to May; the Sweetheart genotype produced from February to April and the American Festival genotype from February to March. The Linosa variety was shown to have good performance in terms of early flowering (42 days after planting), prolonged blooming, and flowering durations. 50% of BARI 1 variety showed the earliest flowering (78.2 days). Long pedicel (78.36 mm) with the highest epicalyx (7), calyx (7) and petal number (7), with largest calyx size (101.38 mm2) and androecium surface area (6.25 mm2) were found in V2 genotype. Other parameters like epicalyx size (201.41 mm2), androecium number (29) and receptacle diameter (7.83 mm2) were found highest in V1 genotype. In terms of fruit characteristics, BARI 1 produced the longest, widest and heaviest fruit (4.60 cm, 3.67 cm and 21.37 g respectively), while Sweet Charlie had the smallest fruit dimensions and weight. Vitamin C concentration also varied, with BARI 1 showing the highest concentration (13.49 mg 100 g-1). In terms of total yield plant-1, Linosa emerged as the most productive variety. It is concluded that, based on the floral biology traits, fruit growth and environmental factors two varieties (Linosa and RABI 3) might be suitable for cultivation at Sylhet region of Bangladesh.