The Effect of the Application of Mycorrhiza on Vegetative Growth, Mineral Element Intake, and Some Biochemical Characteristics of Strawberry Seedlings under Lime Stress

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effects of vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) applications on vegetative growth, mineral element intake, and some biochemical characteristics of strawberry seedlings grown under lime stress conditions. The experiment was conducted with frigo seeds of "Albion" strawberry cultivar in pots filled with 1% lime mixture and 1:1 ratio of peat and perlite. In the uprootings performed in three different stages (four leaved, blooming, and fruit stages) to examine the biochemical effects of mycorrhiza applications against the lime stress, vegetative growth criteria (leaf chlorophyll and anthocyanin content, area, crown diameter, fresh and dry plant weights) and mineral contents in the plant parts (leaf, crown, and root) were determined. The proline, total phenolic content, and malondialdehyde (MDA), end product of the lipid peroxidation, analyses were conducted on the leaf samples taken in these uprooting. In all three stages, an increase in crown diameter and leaf area was determined. In uprooting periods, proline and total phenolic amounts increased, and, on the other hand, MDA decreased. Microelement intake, which decreased with the lime application, was detected to be increased with mycorrhiza applications. At the end of the experiment, mycorrhiza application was observed to lessen the effect of lime stress on strawberry seedlings.