Investigation of the effects of different applications on salt stress in strawberry

In this study, the morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of the 'Rubygem' strawberry variety (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) to salt stress and the effects of some new-generation fertilizers on this stress were evaluated. The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture at Malatya Turgut Özal University, and the effectiveness of new generation fertilizers against salt stress created with 35 mM NaCl was investigated. The results revealed that salt stress negatively affected plant growth, photosynthetic performance, and pigment content, and increased membrane permeability, lipid peroxidation (MDA), antioxidant enzyme (SOD, POD) activities, and proline accumulation. The application of new generation fertilizers was found to be effective in reducing the negative effects of salt stress by providing significant improvements in morphological growth (crown and root weight, leaf area), physiological parameters (stomatal conductance, leaf water content, photosynthesis rate), and biochemical characteristics (antioxidant defense, pigment content). The findings of this study indicate that new generation fertilizers containing biostimulants are an important alternative for sustainable production against salinity stress in strawberry cultivation and that testing these fertilizers on different plant species and under different agricultural conditions in future studies would be beneficial. This study was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Malatya Turgut Özal University under project number 24Y08. KEYWORDS: Strawberry, Salt Stress, New-Generation Fertilizer, Antioxidant Enzymes, Proline, MDA