VEGETATIVE GROWTH, YIELD, FRUIT QUALITY AND FRUIT AND LEAF COMPOSITION OF STRAWBERRY CV. PAJARO' AS INFLUENCED BY SALICYLIC ACID AND NICKEL SPRAYS

Salicylic acid (SA) occurs naturally in plants at low concentrations. Previous studies reported a vast range of responses after SA application on plants. Nickel (Ni) as an essential element for plant growth and development has been proven to have positive impact on overall plant life cycle. To evaluate influence of these two compounds on strawberry plants cv. Pajero' this study was carried out as a 3 x 4 factorial in a completely randomized design in greenhouse conditions. Treatments included SA at 0, 1, 2, and 3mM and nickel sulfate (NiSO4) at 0, 150 and 300mg L-1 concentration. It seems that treatments had promoting effects on measured parameters as 2mM of SA increased root and shoot fresh and dry weight, concentration of anthocyanins and poliphenolics of fruits significantly, 3mM of this phytohormone caused augmentation of vitamin C content of fruits. Nitrogen and nickel concentration within leaves and fruits were affected after SA treatments. 150mg L-1 of nickel solution promoted total yield, root dry weight and nitrogen concentration of fruits. Worth mentioning, beneficial effects of such treatments were higher when applied together. Further research is needed before recommendation on other cultivars and commercial use.