The combined effects of application of Zn, P and inoculation with the endophytic fungus, Serendipita indica, on growth and yield of strawberry in the aeroponic system

Plant growth and yield enhancement can be evoked in crops by the exploitation of beneficial microorganisms and the optimal provision of plant nutrients. The effect of inoculation with Serendipita indica and the application of zinc and phosphorus on the growth and yield of strawberries in the aeroponic system was the goal of the present experiment. The study was conducted in a completely randomized design with different levels of inoculation with endophytic fungus S. indica (non-inoculated and inoculated with fungus mycelium) as the first factor and different levels of fertilizer application (0.8 gr zinc sulfate, 1.2 gr monopotassium phosphate, combined zinc-phosphorus and control) as the second factors with three replications. The results showed that the main effects of fertilizer and fungus treatment as well as their interaction effect were significant in all traits except for total protein content. The results also showed that fungus inoculation and zinc and phosphorus application increased traits such as flower and fruit number, shoot and root biomass, chlorophyll, total soluble sugars, protein content, and antioxidant enzymes. In sum, it can be concluded that the effect of phosphorus and zinc fertilizer treatments along with the endophytic fungus S. indica has improved the physiological traits and yield of strawberries. On the other hand, the effects of the simultaneous application of fertilizer and fungus inoculation are more positive than the single application of fertilizer and fungus. Therefore, the optimal application of important elements such as phosphorus and zinc along with the exploration of endophytic symbiotic fungi can be considered a suitable strategy to increase the growth and yield of strawberries.