Response of strawberry fruit and leaf nutrient concentrations to the application of irrigation levels and a biostimulant

Abstract

As the severity of drought increases, countries may face food security risks. The effective cultivation practices, the choice of water stress tolerant varieties associated with high nutrient and water use efficiency can help overcome this problem in terms of fruit quality. Fruit quality of the strawberry is highly affected by plant mineral nutrition status. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of four irrigation levels and the application of a biostimulant on leaf and fruit nutrient concentration in two strawberry cultivars (Kabarla and Rubygem). The biostimulant led to significant increases on the leaf Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (C), Magnesium (Mg) and Manganese (Mn) concentrations in the two years of experiment. Kabarla was superior in leaf P, Ca, Mg, fruit K, Ca and Zinc (Zn) concentrations in both experimental years whereas the Rubygem was superior only in the leaf Zn concentration. IR50 (full irrigation × 0.5) and IR125 (full irrigation × 1.25) caused significant decreases in leaf N, P, K, Mg, copper (Cu), Mn concentrations in the first experimental year. IR75 (full irrigation × 0.75) and IR100 (full irrigation) applications had the same effects on the leaf N, P, K, Ca, Cu and Mn concentrations and they were situated in the highest significance group in both trial years. In this respect, we can state that the nutrient deficiency the plants may depend on the level of the water stress, the nutrient concentration in the soil along with the different varieties. Moreover the results revealed that the biostimulant application should be combined with the optimal amount of irrigation water (most likely IR75) to improve the plant adaptation under water stress conditions.