Salinity stress is one of the leading challenges limiting strawberry cultivation in several parts of India. A recent paper published in Applied Fruit Science (2025) by researchers from Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, demonstrates that plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) can play a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects of salt on strawberry plants.
The team tested eight treatments, including various combinations of beneficial microbes such as Azotobacter, phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria, and Trichoderma. The most effective combination—Azotobacter + phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria + Trichoderma (T8)—produced the highest plant height, number of leaves, root length, and chlorophyll content, along with improved salt tolerance indices.
Compared to untreated control plants, the combined microbial treatment enhanced shoot and root growth, nutrient uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), and significantly lowered sodium accumulation in leaves. These effects collectively improved the plants’ ability to tolerate saline conditions without compromising physiological performance.
According to the authors, microbial inoculation not only aids nutrient solubilization and nitrogen fixation but also supports photosynthesis and mitigates oxidative damage caused by salt-induced stress. The study highlights that the synergistic action of beneficial microorganisms could serve as a sustainable, eco-friendly strategy to combat soil salinity and enhance strawberry productivity.
This research offers practical insights for farmers and horticulturists seeking to expand strawberry cultivation into saline-prone regions while reducing reliance on chemical treatments.
Reference
Santhoshkumar, G. M., Bhowmick, N., Roy, A., Kumar Sinha, A., Mandal, S., Sindhu, V., Prudveesh, K., Mandal, S., & Ghosh, S. (2025). Alleviating the Salinity Stress on Strawberry Using Plant Growth-Promoting Micro-organisms. Applied Fruit Science, 67(6), 414. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10341-025-01635-w
Related posts:
लवणीय तनावमा स्ट्रबेरीको वृद्धि सूक्ष्मजीवहरूले बढाए
Boosting Sunflower Growth in Saline Soils: The Role of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria and Phosphorus-Enriched Biochar
ढलौटे फोहोरको बायोचार र Trichoderma afroharzianum सँग मिलेर टमाटरमा हुने जराको रोग नियन्त्रण
Low Night Temperatures Disrupt Tomato Soil Microbes but Boost Cold-Resistant Metabolites
Biochar and Compost Together Boost Barley’s Drought Tolerance by Regulating Stress-Response Genes
