Biostimulatory Effects of Chlorella fusca CHK0059 on Plant Growth and Fruit Quality of Strawberry
Author:
Kim Young-Nam12ORCID, Choi Jun Hyeok1ORCID, Kim Song Yeob1, Yoon Young-Eun2ORCID, Choe Hyeonji1ORCID, Lee Keum-Ah2ORCID, Kantharaj Vimalraj2ORCID, Kim Min-Jeong3ORCID, Lee Yong Bok12ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Division of Applied Life Science (BK21), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea 2. Institute of Agriculture and Life Science (IALS), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea 3. Organic Agriculture Division, National Academy of Agriculture Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea
Abstract
Green algae have been receiving widespread attention for their use as biofertilizers for agricultural production, but more studies are required to increase the efficiency of their use. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of Chlorella fusca CHK0059 application on strawberry plant growth and fruit quality. A total of 800 strawberry seedlings were planted in a greenhouse and were grown for seven months under different Chlorella application rates: 0 (control), 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4% of the optimal cell density (OCD; 1.0 × 107 cells mL−1). The Chlorella application was conducted weekly via an irrigation system, and the characteristics of fruit samples were monitored monthly over a period of five months. The growth (e.g., phenotype, dry weight, and nutrition) and physiological (e.g., Fv/Fm and chlorophylls) parameters of strawberry plants appeared to be enhanced by Chlorella application over time, an enhancement which became greater as the application rate increased. Likewise, the hardness and P content of strawberry fruits had a similar trend. Meanwhile, 0.2% OCD treatment induced the highest values of soluble solid content (9.3–12 °Brix) and sucrose content (2.06–2.97 g 100 g−1) in the fruits as well as fruit flavor quality indices (e.g., sugars:acids ratio and sweetness index) during the monitoring, whilst control treatment represented the lowest values. In addition, the highest anthocyanin content in fruits was observed in 0.4% OCD treatment, which induced the lowest incidence of grey mold disease (Botrytis cinerea) on postharvest fruits for 45 days. Moreover, a high correlation between plants’ nutrients and photosynthetic variables and fruits’ sucrose and anthocyanin contents was identified through the results of principal component analysis. Overall, C. fusca CHK0059 application was found to promote the overall growth and performance of strawberry plants, contributing to the improvement of strawberry quality and yield, especially in 0.2% OCD treatment.
Funder
Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development
Subject
Plant Science,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
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