Effects of Foliar and Root Applications of Hydro-Alcoholic Solutions on Physiological and Biochemical Attributes and Fruit Yield and Weight of Strawberry

An investigation was undertaken to ascertain the influence of hydro-alcoholic solutions on plant growth as well as quality attributes of strawberry fruits. The mother plants of strawberry (Fragaria ananasa cv. Gaviota) were subjected to various aqueous solutions of ethanol (15, 30%), methanol (15, 30%) and the mixture of ethanol + methanol (15 or 30%) plus the control (water only) as foliar spraying or via irrigation. Application of alcoholic solutions affected the majority of the characters under investigation. The highest amount of leaf chlorophylls, carotenoids, fruit sucrose and total yield were recorded on the plants treated with combination of 15% ethanol and methanol. The maximum fruit weight and the lowest acidity were found in plants treated with 15% methanol or in combination with 15% ethanol. The foliar spraying was superior in most of the traits over the irrigation method. Further experimentations are required to suggest the results of the present study in a commercial scale to the strawberry growers.