Influence of biostimulant applications on vegetative growth and yield of strawberry under full and reduced fertilization

This study aimed to assess the effects of biostimulant applications on both vegetative and generative growth, fruit characteristics, and yield of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) A total of ten treatments were implemented, comprising various combinations of Microfertile® plant (MP) and Ekofertile® plant (EP) biostimulants, with both full and 50% reduced NPK applications, alongside a control group that received solely NPK. The findings demonstrate that the application of biostimulants led to notable enhancements in plant height, leaf count, and flower yield, especially when utilized in conjunction with full NPK fertilization. The EP10% treatment exhibited the most significant vegetative growth parameters, resulting in the tallest plants and the greatest number of leaves, whereas the MP5% treatment achieved the highest flower count. The examination of fruit attributes revealed that the application of full NPK in conjunction with biostimulants resulted in fruits that exhibited increased size and weight, although the differences compared to other treatments were not statistically significant. The yield of strawberries exhibited significant variation among the treatments, with EP10% achieving the highest yield of 38.70 t ha-1, representing a 60.02% increase compared to the control group (24.18 t ha-1). Despite the observed decrease in yields associated with treatments featuring reduced NPK, the utilization of biostimulants successfully maintained productivity levels akin to those of the control group. The findings indicate that although optimal NPK levels are crucial for maintaining baseline growth and yield, the application of biostimulants markedly improves nutrient uptake efficiency and optimizes both vegetative growth and fruit yield. Further investigation is necessary to determine the mechanism through which the use of biostimulants may mitigate nutritional stress in strawberries.