The effects of phosphite on strawberry yield and fruit quality

Abstract

Phosphite (H 2 PO 3 -; Phi) has been shown to increase fruit quality and activate plant defense mechanisms in plants when provided in a nutrient state with sufficient phosphorous. In this study, five solutions containing different percentages of Phi (0, 20, 30, 40 and 50%) in Steiner's solution were evaluated during the flowering and fructification stages; the Steiner' s nutrient solution was kept al 50% during the flowering stage and at 75% from the beginning of the fructification stage on. The objective was to determine the effects of phosphite on total P concentration in leaves, yield, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), anthocyanin concentration, and fruit size of strawberries (cv. Festival). The experiments were performed in a tunnel-type greenhouse using drip irrigation and volcanic rock (volcanic gravel) as substrate. In the fruit development phase, the concentration of P in the leaves was proportional to the level of Phi used. Although no significant differences were observed when compared to the control, the addition of 20% Phi slightly improved yield and fruit size. The highest pH, EC and anthocyanin concentration were identified in the fruit of plants treated with 30% Phi. Our findings suggest that supplying Phi at 30% or less in the nutrient solution does not significantly affect yield but does affect fruit quality and activates plant defense mechanisms by producing a higher concentration of anthocyanins.

Effect of Applying Potassium Phosphite with Potassium Fulvate on Plant Growth

“…Potassium phosphite as a single treatment significantly increased the values of total yield and dry weight of yield (325.10 g) and (12.78 g), respectively using foliar application at C3 (0.2 ml plant -1 ), while with soil application increased the values of total yield and dry weight 301.21 g and 12.73 g, respectively at C2 (0.1 ml plant -1 ). The present results agree with those obtained by Gonzalez et al, (2010); Cicore et al, (2011); Silva et al, (2011); Monsalve et al , (2012); Pinto et al, (2013);Estrada-ortiz et al, (2013) who found that Phi increased total yield, fruit size, fresh & dry matter and number of fruit, these positive effect are due to activation the synthesis of antioxidant metabolites and internal hormonal and chemical changes by phi application. Also, Similar results were also concluded by Khalil et al ., (2011); Selim and Mosa, (2012); Patti et al, (2013); Suh et al, (2014); Diab et al, (2017); Farid et al, (2018) who found that FA increased the yield and all physical and chemical characteristics of fruits.…”

Inductors of Resistance and Their Role in Photosynthesis and Antioxidant System Activity of Coffee Seedlings

“…In maize, phosphites stimulated eliciting biochemical responses by increasing guaiacol peroxidase activity and lignin biosynthesis [27]. In strawberry phosphites were related to higher fruit quality and stimulation of defense mechanisms by increasing anthocyanin production [28].…”

Phosphite: a novel P fertilizer for weed management and pathogen control

“…Research suggests that foliar application of Phi has no effect on growth or yield and quality of the strawberry fruits in comparison with Pi fertilization (Moor et al ., ). However, other studies have indicated that phi improves fruit quality and plant defence mechanisms in strawberry cultivars (Estrada‐Ortiz et al ., , , ; Glinicki et al ., ). Studies have reported that the availability of Pi to plants is the key determinant for Phi toxicity.…”

“…(). It was further reported that the free amino acids and protein contents in leaves, sugar content (Estrada‐Ortiz et al ., ) and total anthocyanin content (Estrada‐Ortiz et al ., ) were increased in response to the application of Phi (Estrada‐Ortiz et al ., ).…”