Inducing Salinity Tolerance in Strawberry (<em>Fragaria</em> x <em>ananassa</em>) by Proline and Glycine Betaine

Author : EL-Afify, S. S. T., H. M. B. EL-Metwally and Amira A. A. Mohammed

Salinity is a major abiotic stress factor that affects agricultural productivity worldwide, including strawberry cultivation. Implementing effective strategies to manage soil salinity is crucial for optimizing strawberry productivity. So, a research trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of external applications of proline (0, 75, 100, 150 ml L-1, as main factor) and glycine betaine GB (0,150, 200, 250 mg L-1, as sub main factor) on the performance, oxidation of fruit tissues, quantitative and qualitative yield of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) grown on saline soil having EC value of 7.5 dsm-1 via a split-plot experimental design across the successive seasons of 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. The findings showed that the growth performance parameters (e.g., plant height, number of leaves), quantitative and qualitative yield indicators (e.g., fruit weight, total yield, anthocyanin pigment, catalase enzyme CAT) of strawberry exhibited an increasing trend as the application rates of proline or GB increased. The highest values were observed when proline was applied at a rate of 150 ml L-1 in combination with GB at 250 mg L-1. Regarding the malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidative stress indicator, the control treatment (without proline or GB) exhibited the highest levels of MDA. Conversely, the combined treatment of proline (150 ml L-1) and GB (250 mg L-1) demonstrated the lowest levels of MDA. Generally, it can be concluded that the soil salinity adversely affected strawberry growth, yield, and oxidative stress indicator. However, the external application of proline and GB proved to be beneficial in mitigating the salinity harmful effect.

Keywords : Strawberry, proline, glycine betaine, yield and fruit quality.,

Received:9/10/2023 12:00:00 AM; Accepted: 10/7/2023 12:00:00 AM