Abstract
Biostimulants have been found effective in enhancing plant resistance toward stressful conditions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of selected biostimulants to overcome the negative effects of nutrient limitation on the growth performances and on the fruit quality of soilless cultivated strawberry plants. The condition of nutrient limitation was imposed by supplying the plants with only a single fertilization at transplantation and by excluding any further nutrient supply for the entire duration of the experiment (three months, from May to July). Strawberry plants were treated seven times during the period from preflowering up to berry maturation with different classes of biostimulants (humic acids, alfalfa hydrolysate, macroseaweed extract and microalga hydrolysate, amino acids alone or in combination with zinc, B-group vitamins, chitosan, and a commercial product containing silicon) at commercial dosages. The use of alfalfa hydrolysate, vitamins, chitosan, and silicon was able to promote biomass accumulation in roots (four to seven folds) and fruits (+20%) of treated plants, whereas the total leaf area increased by 15%–30%. Nutrient concentrations in leaves and roots showed variations for microelements (e.g., Fe, B, Zn, and Si) in response to biostimulant applications, whereas no significant differences were observed for macronutrient contents among treatments. Final berry yield was found around 20% higher in chitosan- and silicon-treated plants. Chitosan treatment significantly increased pulp firmness (by 20%), while a high nutritional value (e.g., phenolic compounds concentration) was observed in alfalfa- and seaweed-treated fruits (+18%–20% as compared to control). The overall outcomes of the present experiment show that selected biostimulants can be considered as a valid agronomic tool able to contrast the negative consequence of growing crops under insufficient nutritional conditions.
Highlights
The nutritional status of strawberry plants is of major relevance for the achievement of the expected levels of productivity and overall fruit quality [1]
Fruit dry matter accumulation appeared to be significantly reduced in Mix of amino acids (MAA)- and amino acids combined with pure phenylalanine (PHE)-treated plants and increased in CHI- and Siliforce® (SIL)-treated plants
The aim of the present research was to examine if the application of different biostimulants could help the growth and yield performances of soilless cultivated strawberry plants under limited nutrient availability
Summary
The nutritional status of strawberry plants is of major relevance for the achievement of the expected levels of productivity and overall fruit quality [1]. Soilless production systems require a fine control of nutrient supply, but this control is difficult to be achieved especially when the use of mineral fertilizers is banned (i.e., in organic farming). Under such conditions, nutrient deficiencies/imbalances often become a severe limiting factor for the overall economic sustainability of the cultivation [5,6]. With the aim to help both organic and integrated growers to overcome the problem of the insufficient nutritional status of soilless cultivated crops, different technical solutions are currently available on the market of fertilizer products, including the vast group of biostimulant compounds
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
