Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) is an important small-fruit crop, belonging to the family Rosaceae. In Himachal Pradesh, its cultivation under controlled environment is slowly gaining momentum but non-availability of good quality healthy planting material is a major obstacle in its commercial cultivation. Additionally, soil borne diseases, particular viruses transmitted by nematode vectors, cause severe production losses in strawberry culture. Use of soilless substrates can reduce the soil borne diseases besides improving the quality of the produce. | Perlite-an effective soilless substrate for producing strawberry plants free from nematode transmitted viruses
