The effect of silicon on the growth and yield of strawberry grown under saline conditions

Silicon (Si) is considered one of the beneficial elements for plant, however recent studies show that Si plays an important role in plant resistance to environmental stresses, like salinity. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of Si and NaCl salinity on the growth, yield and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cv “selva” was grown hydroponically in the controlled environment glasshouse. Three levels of NaCl (0, 20, 40 mM) and three levels of Si (0, 1, 2 mM) was factorially combined in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The yield characteristics and fruit quality were measured during the experimental period. At the end of the experiment, plants were cut and vegetative characteristics such as number, fresh and dry weights and leaf area were measured. In addition, leaf relative water content and chlorophyll index were measured. The results showed that salinity reduced the vegetative characteristics, increasing the Si in the saline conditions, increased the number, fresh and dry weights and leaf area of the strawberry plants. The yield characteristics was reduced in the saline conditions, however applying Si reduced the adverse effects of salinity on the yield components. Both salinity and Si had no effect on the chlorophyll index. Leaf relative water content was reduced in salt stress, but silicon treatment largely improved relative water content of leaf. Both salinity and Si treatments increased acidity of fruit, but other quality characteristics were not affected by the treatments. The results reported here indicated that application of Si is recommend under salinity stress in strawberry.