Physiological Consequences of Foliar Application of Zinc Chelate in Strawberry Cultivation under Salt Stress Condition

Document Type : Research Article

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Abstract

Strawberry is a sensitive plant to salinity and saline conditions.  Salinity affects growth, yield and fruit quality.  This study aimed to investigate the interaction of chelated Zinc (Zn-EDTA) and salinity effects on some physiological characteristics of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch) cv. Selva. A greenhouse experiment was carried out under hydroponic conditions. The experimental design  was conducted as a factorial experiment using completely randomized design, with three levels of Sodium Chloride (0, 15 and 30 mM) and also three levels of chelated Zinc (0, 40, and 80 mg/l) as a foliar spray, each in three replications. The results showed that leaf electrolyte leakage increased under NaCl salinity and zinc chelate treatment was able (p ≤ 0.01) to reduce it significantly. Foliar application of chelated zinc reduced leaf proline content and increased leaf soluble proteins level, chlorophyll index and leaf relative water content.  However, this effect was not statistically significant in terms of stress conditions. Chelated Zinc also showed a significant effect on increasing leaf soluble carbohydrates under stress condition. Based on the results of the present study, foliar application of chelated Zinc could be suggested for reducing salt stress induced effects on strawberries cultivated at this condition. 

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Volume 6, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
September 2014
Pages 59-68

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