Foliar application of Si-aminochelate: a strategy for increasing P uptake and antioxidant properties of strawberry

The results of this experiment showed that the use of P fertilizer and spraying of Si-aminochelate caused a significant increase in yield, leaf P and Si, antioxidant compounds such as total phenols, total flavonoids and vitamin C in strawberry fruit. Previous findings indicate that Si directly improves internal P use efficiency by stimulating root secretion of organic acid anions, such as malate and citrate, and the subsequent change in soil pH, which in turn increase root growth, transpiration, and P uptake and utilization, and indirectly by reducing iron and manganese absorption-processes that ultimately influence plant growth, yield, and antioxidant properties. According to the results of this experiment, using a level of 15 kg/ha of P fertilizer along with a foliar spray of 4 mL/L of Si-aminochelate is recommended to improve growth, yield, and antioxidant properties of strawberry fruits in greenhouse.