Halotolerant Pseudomonas cedrina strains enhance salinity tolerance and fruit yield in strawberry through physiological responses and improved ion homeostasis
Shahriyar Einizadeh, Ali Akbar Shokouhian, Rasoul Azarmi
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Salinity stress critically constrains strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) production, particularly in regions affected by secondary salinization. This study evaluated the efficacy of two halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Pseudomonas cedrina SH_EI23 (SHA) and SH_EI24 (SHB), isolated from native halophyte rhizospheres in the Lake Urmia basin, Iran, in mitigating salinity effects on strawberry cv. Albion. Plants were grown under soil and soilless systems and exposed to 0, 30, and 60 mM NaCl. Salinity severely reduced vegetative growth, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), and fruit yield, while increasing oxidative stress markers (MDA, electrolyte leakage) and Na⁺ accumulation. However, PGPR inoculation, particularly SHA, significantly ameliorated these adverse effects. Under 60 mM NaCl, SHA inoculation substantially increased fruit yield compared to non-inoculated controls, with a greater response observed in the soilless system. Inoculated plants maintained higher relative water content, stomatal conductance, and Fv/Fm, alongside enhanced proline and soluble carbohydrate accumulation. Antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, POD) were significantly increased, while MDA content and electrolyte leakage decreased. PGPR also improved ionic homeostasis by increasing K⁺/Na⁺ ratios and increasing leaf N, P, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ concentrations. Three-way ANOVA revealed that cultivation system did not significantly affect vegetative growth; however, the significant System × Inoculation interactions for key traits confirmed that PGPR efficacy was more pronounced in the soilless system. These findings indicate that halophyte-derived P. cedrina strains, particularly SHA, can enhance strawberry salinity tolerance through coordinated improvements in photosynthetic performance, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense, and ion homeostasis. Overall, the results suggest that native PGPR strains have strong potential as sustainable bio-inoculants for strawberry production in salt-affected regions. However, field validation across multiple cultivars and environments remains necessary before commercial application.
期刊介绍:
Scientia Horticulturae is an international journal publishing research related to horticultural crops. Articles in the journal deal with open or protected production of vegetables, fruits, edible fungi and ornamentals under temperate, subtropical and tropical conditions. Papers in related areas (biochemistry, micropropagation, soil science, plant breeding, plant physiology, phytopathology, etc.) are considered, if they contain information of direct significance to horticulture. Papers on the technical aspects of horticulture (engineering, crop processing, storage, transport etc.) are accepted for publication only if they relate directly to the living product. In the case of plantation crops, those yielding a product that may be used fresh (e.g. tropical vegetables, citrus, bananas, and other fruits) will be considered, while those papers describing the processing of the product (e.g. rubber, tobacco, and quinine) will not. The scope of the journal includes all horticultural crops but does not include speciality crops such as, medicinal crops or forestry crops, such as bamboo. Basic molecular studies without any direct application in horticulture will not be considered for this journal.