Application of Novel Microorganism-Based Formulations as Alternative to the Use of Iron Chelates in Strawberry Cultivation

Ivana Puglisi, Sergio Brida, Vasile Stoleru, Valentina Torino, Vincenzo Michele Sellitto and Andrea Baglieri
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Ivana Puglisi: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment—University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 98-100, 95123 Catania, Italy
Sergio Brida: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment—University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 98-100, 95123 Catania, Italy
Vasile Stoleru: Department of Horticulture, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, M. Sadoveanu, 700440 Iasi, Romania
Valentina Torino: Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Vincenzo Michele Sellitto: Department of Horticulture, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, M. Sadoveanu, 700440 Iasi, Romania
Andrea Baglieri: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment—University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 98-100, 95123 Catania, Italy

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: The strawberry is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial plant, sensitive to iron deficiency. The iron deficiency represents a nutritional disorder, leading to a decreased content of photosynthetic pigments, which determines the yellow color characteristic of chlorotic leaves. Therefore, in calcareous soils, the use of synthetic iron chelate is often mandatory in strawberry cultivation. The employment of novel microorganism-based formulations as alternatives to the use of iron chelates, was evaluated during strawberry cultivation by monitoring the morpho-biometric parameters, chlorophylls, the iron content in leaves and roots, and the Fe chelate reductase activity involved in absorption of iron during the chlorosis event in plants using the strategy I. The experimental design envisaged growing strawberry seedlings on an inert substrate (pumice), irrigated with Hoagland solution iron-free, with a 12 h photoperiod. After 42 days, at the first appearance of chlorosis symptoms, plants were transplanted into a calcareous soil, and after seven days, they were treated, by a single application, with a microorganism-based formulations (MBF), an inoculum (In) of Trichoderma spp. and Streptomyces spp., or Sequestrene (Sq). Strawberry plants were sampled and analyzed at 5, 10, 15, and 20 days from the treatments. The results showed that microorganism-based formulations positively affected the strawberry seedlings, by reducing the chlorosis symptoms, producing comparable effects to the Sequestrene treatment.

Keywords: EDDHA; FC-R; Fe-deficiency; Fragaria × ananassa; Glomus; Trichoderma; Streptomyces (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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