STRAWBERRIES
Strawberries have the rich history that has been 2200 years old, there are many stories related to the strawberries have been popular such as, from where it comes? And who gave the name to it? Historian believes that the plant of strawberry was first found in ancient Rome in 234 B.C. In 1588, Europeans was discovered this fruit when there sea ships was landed in the coast of Virginia. It was not the first introduction of berries to the Europeans, but from those days strawberries become popular among the fruit lovers.
In the time period of 12th century, a saint named Hildegard von Binger was announced that, the red berries are not healthy for human beings, due to the fact that, it grew along with the ground, where many harmful creatures like snakes and toads were crawled, might be possible these harmful insects were leave some awful effects on berries. Because of saint’s declaration, the local social workers, priests, and political personalities also discourage the peoples from eating the red berries, this faith was continued for many years but in the era of 13th century it was used as a medicinal herb in France. The leaves, fruits and even the roots of this plant were used in medicines. The berry was used in diarrhoea and as the digestive medicine; the leaves and roots of its plant were used for gout. It was also used directly on skin to reduce the blemishes and as protection from the sun beams. Its juice was also used to shine the teeth. In the era of 13th century it was also used widely as an aphrodisiac.
Why we called the berries to only strawberries, many of stories and myths are related to it. Some historians believe that the farmers was placed the long, thin straw like structure wood pieces around the growing plants to protect them, because of the small structure of berries fruit, and the most popular myth is that; the name was derived over thousand years ago from the “Anglo-Saxon” verb strew, which means “spread”. The fruit of berries is strewn among the leaves of the plant, in old times; it was difficult task for the farmers to collect all the fruits at the right time before overly ripen, they commonly known the berries as “strewn berries”, and with time it’s pronounced and changed from many names like straberry, straubery, streabergen, straibery, streberie, lastly into strawberries. Another story related to the name of berries is very well accepted and that is, the name of the berries to strawberries was given by an English child. That child was used to sell the berries to string them on grass straws and called it straw-berry and with time it change into strawberries.
The amazing fact about the strawberries is that; it’s not the fruit itself as such it’s the large receptacle of the flower of the plant. Botanists place the strawberry in the family of “Rosaceae”. The Strawberries were initially grown in Europe (mostly in Northern region), but it was also cultivated in different regions of Chile, Us and Russia. For the medicinal purposes, it was planted on large scale in Ancient Rome and it was also used in France for the medicinal reasons during the era of 13th century, but it did not cultivated for the commercial purposes, even in the year of 1530, King Henry eight was purchased the strawberries for eating.The agricultural history of strawberries has been very old; the early settlers of the Massachusetts were the lover of strawberries that was cultivated by American Indians. They were starting the farming in the year of 1643, and were giving the name of Fragaria Virginiana, or Fragaria Chiloensis genus to berries, meaning of Fragaria word is odorous, it indicates the perfumed flesh of strawberries, these American wild strawberries are larger in size and deeper in color.
In the year of 1714, a French engineer (actually the spy of France, had the responsibility of making the maps of Spanish forts and regulating the activities of Spain) discovered the new type of strawberries (American Wild Strawberries) in Chile. He never saw that size of big berries in France. So, He was come back to France with this genotype strawberries bunch and seeds, and the farming of the new kind of strawberries were started. In starting they did not appropriately growing, the all the plants were female that the French man taken from Chile they needed the pollen grains to fertile it properly. When these female plants were fused with the American strawberry plants, in result the botanist got the berries with amazingly good taste and of much larger size and very much alike of berries which we eat today. They were given the name to new born strawberries to Fragaria x Ananassa. The fusion of North and South American strawberries instantly gained the popularity in all over the Europe and rapidly spread to other countries.
Till the time period of 1850, the strawberries were considered the elite class fruit, only wealthy persons were able to afford it. In the decade of 1860, strawberries were being cultivated for commercial perspective in many regions of Europe and America.
Americans had the big hand in increasing the production of strawberries; within the time period of thirty years, James Wilson lived in New York City were jumped their production from few thousands to over 100,000 acres. He was contributing a lot in commercial production of strawberries. While the cultivation of strawberry was started in California in the year of 1887, by a nine years old child named “Charlie Loftus”, when his father moved to the northern region of California, called Sweet Briar. In their new home, the little Charlie noticed the one berry plant, which stood alone from the rest of plants; the berries of this plant are much larger, bright in color, and more conical in shape, and also its taste and smell are extremely sweet. He were carefully transplanted this special berry plant into the wooden box and produced around one acre of these delicate berries.
Americans had the big hand in increasing the production of strawberries; within the time period of thirty years, James Wilson lived in New York City were jumped their production from few thousands to over 100,000 acres. He was contributing a lot in commercial production of strawberries. While the cultivation of strawberry was started in California in the year of 1887, by a nine years old child named “Charlie Loftus”, when his father moved to the northern region of California, called Sweet Briar. In their new home, the little Charlie noticed the one berry plant, which stood alone from the rest of plants; the berries of this plant are much larger, bright in color, and more conical in shape, and also its taste and smell are extremely sweet. He were carefully transplanted this special berry plant into the wooden box and produced around one acre of these delicate berries.
Initially the Strawberries were grew in the cooler regions, mostly in Northern Countries there were grown easily as in comparison of southern regions, where they need good and careful irrigation, they survive hardly in drought conditions. It is the only fruit, whose have their seeds outside rather than enclosed inside, an approximately two hundred seeds per fruit, but these seeds do not facilitate in growing of new plants. In right conditions and environment, the strawberry seeds very rapidly germinate and grow. The new plant is ideally germinated in spring season. The strawberry plants are increased by sending out the runner all around the ground during the developing of fruit. These runners were helped in developing of new roots and formed the new plants. The entire new plantation might be possible from newly formed runner plants.
The farming of strawberries is not so complicated, if you have one or two acres free land, then its best to start the cultivation of strawberries over there. Because of many reasons, it is known as farmer friendly plant. These plants are able to grow in almost any type of soil and in all weather conditions with special care, but farmers preferred the well-drained soil, and the environment conditions, where the winters are not too cold and summer are not too hot. The roots of plant are cultivated very shallowly and it must be planted in full sun for the proper farming. In result the farmer get the lovable strawberries and also the larger volume of production.
The farming of strawberries is not so complicated, if you have one or two acres free land, then its best to start the cultivation of strawberries over there. Because of many reasons, it is known as farmer friendly plant. These plants are able to grow in almost any type of soil and in all weather conditions with special care, but farmers preferred the well-drained soil, and the environment conditions, where the winters are not too cold and summer are not too hot. The roots of plant are cultivated very shallowly and it must be planted in full sun for the proper farming. In result the farmer get the lovable strawberries and also the larger volume of production.
The plantation of strawberries is easy as in comparison of other crops and the demand of fresh strawberries is always on peak. The strawberry plants are perennials, but it must be replaced after six – eight years because the replica of plant is decreased every year and these damaged plants should be replaced by new ones. The mother plant of strawberry can be germinated while the dormant and the center-crown will develop the daughter strawberry plants that spread to form mounds by runners. Birds also played an essential role in distribution of strawberry seeds, when the birds eat the ripe strawberries then the seeds of it pass through them in pretty good condition, even they do not require soil to begin sprouting, these seeds just need the light to start the germinating process. The plants of strawberry take just eight – fourteen months to mature and it needs both a male & female plant to produce the fruit.
The Commercial production of strawberries is often become complicated. The trickiest part in commercial production of strawberries is handling & controlling of different pests and diseases. Strawberries are susceptible of many pests so the farmers only bought the certified disease free plant and also develop the integrated pest management system to obtain the higher volume of growing strawberries. The farming season of strawberries is quite short than the other crops, another critical issue related to strawberry farming is collection of fruit; berries are so delicate, so they are collected by hands. Keep remember that they are not ripen after picked from the plant. 75% of strawberries production is sold fresh in the entire world market, and 25% are sold in frozen form.
They are the fruit of the season. Strawberries are a great option as they are rich in vitamins and minerals, low in calories, and widely available during this season.They are full of antioxidants. Strawberries are perfect for curbing cardiovascular disease, cancer, and delaying aging. In fact, studies suggest that the high antioxidant levels in strawberries can help neutralise the negative effects of free radicals in your system. Antioxidants are also known to boost the immune system and help keep off diseases like the cold and flu. Strawberries are rich in potassium, a mineral that helps regulate the electrolytes in your body, lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke. They also contain folate, a key ingredient in the manufacture of red blood cells.- They are a rich source of vitamin C and contain more of this vitamin than citrus fruits. This is helpful in fighting off some forms of cancer and also helps with bad cholesterol. Strawberries are packed with B2, B5, B6, vitamin K, copper, and magnesium. They also contain omega fatty acids and essential fibre. Strawberries can also be used to whiten your teeth. The acids in the fruit is said to help remove stains from teeth. Cut one in half and rub on your teeth and gums. This removes tartar and strengthens and heals the gums. Let the juice remain on the teeth for a while and then gargle with warm water. While you can eat strawberries by adding them in a number of foods, to get the most benefits they should be eaten raw. When added with your morning cereal it will give you an energy boost for the day. Strawberries are the perfect food to add to your diet as they are virtually fat-free. Studies show that one cup of strawberries contains only 0.6 grams of fat. Further, they can stimulate your metabolism and suppress your appetite. They can also help keep your weight-reducing hormones functioning properly.
Prof. John Kurakar
