Effects of Fertigation on Plant Growth, Fruit and Photosynthesis Attributes of Strawberries under Deficit Irrigation

This study investigated the effects of irrigation strategies including Sustained Deficit Irrigation (SDI) and Partial Root-zone Drying (PRD) on the growth, physiology, and photosynthesis of strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch.) in order to maximize crop productivity while maintaining water resources. This experiment had four irrigation strategies [FI: Control (Full Irrigation volume), PRD۱ (full irrigation volume), PRD۲ (۵۰% of FI), and SDI (۵۰% of FI) and two fertilizer treatments (EC۱ and Diluted fertilizer: EC۲) with four replicates. Gas exchange, leaf chlorophyll index, stomatal conductance (gs), and maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F'v/F'm) were assessed on three occasions throughout the experimental duration in order to monitor the impact of different irrigation strategies on photosynthesis. Yield water use efficiency, as well as TSS (Total Soluble Solids) and TA (Total Titratable Acidity), and two fruit quality-related parameters were also measured. In the final stage, PRD۲-EC۲ photosystem II efficiency was ۹% higher than SDI-EC۲ significantly. Also, the PRD strategy effectively influenced and regulated the adjustment of stomatal conductance (gs). In diluted fertilizer (EC۲), the yield WUE of PRD۱ and SDI was ۱۵% (insignificant) and ۳۰.۷% (significant) lower than FI-EC۲. However, the PRD۲-EC۲ treatment increased significantly by ۷۲.۵% compared to the control. Our observations of leaf and fruit deficiencies showed that the PRD strategy had long-term benefits for the plant and reduced water consumption. However, to establish a sustainable irrigation strategy, the nutrient solution must be adjusted to control growth and photosynthesis attributes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Chlorophyll fluorescence ، PSII photochemistry efficiency ، Stomatal conductance.