Organic and inorganic fertilizers influence the productivity, fruit quality and nutrient use efficiency of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Efficient nutrient management is crucial for profitable strawberry production. This study investigated the practical consequences of organic and inorganic fertilization strategies, assessing their influence on yield, fruit quality, nutrient uptake and efficiency and economic viability for the production of strawberry. Field experiments were conducted at the Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh, from 2019 to 20 to 2020–2021. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with eight treatments replicated three times. The treatments included the following: T 1: control; T 2: recommended dose of inorganic N-P-K-S-Zn-B at 140-40-110-20-3–2 kg ha −1 ; T 3: 3 t ha −1 vermicompost (VC) + 125% of NPKSZnB; T 4: 3 t ha −1 poultry manure (PM) + 125% of NPKSZnB; T 5: 3 t ha −1 cowdung (CD) + 125% of NPKSZnB; T 6: 3 t ha −1 VC + 75% of NPKSZnB; T 7: 3 t ha −1 PM + 75% of NPKSZnB; and T 8: 3 t ha −1 CD + 75% of NPKSZnB. Treatment T 4 resulted in the highest strawberry yield (10. 9 t ha -1) because of the greater number of fruits per plant (17. 7), greater fruit size (length of 4. 63 cm and diameter of 3. 15 cm) and greater number of fruits (17. 5 g). The highest amount of vitamin C (63. 2 mg/100 g) and protein (22. 0%) was also found in the T 4 treatment. T 4 maximized nutrient uptake and acquisition. While nutrient uptake improved under integrated treatments, the apparent recovery efficiencies of N, P, K, S, Zn, and B varied considerably across treatments, with no consistent pattern observed. T 4 increased economic returns (US 7611) and improved soil health. A positive correlation was observed between growth, productivity and nutrient uptake. The results suggest that the combined application of 3 t ha -1 poultry manure with 125% of the recommended amount of NPKSZnB fertilizer can increase strawberry productivity and quality. This approach has also promoted sustainable soil health and environmental benefits.