MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSE OF STRAWBERRY TO SALICYLIC ACID APPLICATION

Salicylic acid is considered a plant growth regulator due to its immense role in plant growth and development. During the last decade, strawberry has emerged as one of the most important berries owing to its high nutritional and medicinal value. A study was carried out at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University during the years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to study the Preharvest application of salicylic acid - SA on strawberry (Cv. Chandler) growth and fruit quality. The treatment include T1 (Control), T2 (2 mM SA), T3 (4mM SA) and T4 (6 mM SA), applied during 2017-2018 and 2018-19 season at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi. SA @ 4mM concentration proved to be the best regarding plant height (14.60 cm), average number of leaves per plant (5.27), leaf area (68.40 cm2) , and , average fruit weight (13.53 g) and postharvest parameters like total soluble solids (5.10 oBrix), ascorbic acid (12.41mg/100 ml of juice ) and total sugar contents (6.54 %). The similar trend was observed regarding the antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD. POD and CAT) and physiological parameters (photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance). Therefore foliar application of SA @4mM is recommended to be the best for growth and fruit quality of strawberry.