ASSESSMENT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS OF PLANTS OF THE GENUS Fragaria UNDER CONDITIONS OF WATER DEFICIT – A STUDY REVIEW

Abstract

The genus Fragaria belongs to the Rosaceae family. The most popular representatives of this species are the strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) and wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.), whose taste and health benefits are appreciated by a huge number of consumers. The cultivation of Fragaria plants is widespread around the world, with particular emphasis on the temperate climate zone. Increasingly occurring weather anomalies, including drought phenomena, cause immense losses in crop cultivation. The Fragaria plant species are very sensitive to drought, due to the shallow root system, large leaf area and the high water content of the fruit. There have been many studies on the influence of water deficit on the morphological, biochemical and physiological features of strawberries and wild strawberries. There is a lack of research summarizing the current state of knowledge regarding of specific species response to water stress. The aim of this study was to combine and compare data from many research carried out and indicate the direction of future research aimed at improving the resistance of Fragaria plants species to stress related to drought. These plants show patterns of response to stress caused by drought, such as: osmotic adjustment, reduction of transpiration and photosynthesis, and increased efficiency of water use. Drought also causes significant changes in the composition and palatability of the fruit of the Fragaria plant species.