Leaf iron concentration of 'Kabarla' strawberry under various irrigation levels and a biostimulant application

摘要

The investigation was conducted in the Adana province with a Mediterranean climate during the 2015-2016 season on the 'Kabarla' strawberry. The aim of the study was to determine the Fe (iron) concentration of the leaves as it is important for chlorophyll syntheses under different irrigation levels (IR50, IR75, IR100, and IR125) during the intense harvest period (March, April and May). The effect of the biostimulant (sea weed extract) application on the Fe concentration of the leaves was also evaluated. The trial layout was a factorial design with a split plot, carried out over months. The main factors were the application (Biostimulant), subplot, and irrigation levels. The biostimulant treatment did not affect the iron concentration of strawberry leaves. The months significantly influenced the leaf iron concentration. The highest iron concentration was found in April. Also, irrigation levels significantly affected the iron concentration which decreased with increased irrigation until IR100. However, the highest iron concentration was found in the IR125 treatment, in the contrast with visual observations, chlorosis was more severe with increased irrigation. The interaction between irrigation level and application was significant (p<0.01). The biostimulant application positively affected the leaf iron concentration at different irrigation levels except in the IR125 treatment. The highest leaf iron concentration was found in the control of the IR125 treatment.