Growth and Fruit Characteristics of Strawberry cv. Selva as Affected by Different Application Timing of Salicylic Acid under Saline Conditions

In order to evaluate the influence of salinity and application timing of salicylic acid (SA) on 'Selva' strawberry plants, the present study was carried out in a completely randomized design with four replications. After establishment of rooted daughter plants of Selva cultivar, they were sprayed using 0.5 or 1 mM SA solutions 1 week before, simultaneously, and 1 week after the start of an established 40-mM NaCl salinity stress. Results indicated that saline conditions disturbed normal plant growth and reduced fruit quality parameters and SA (at both concentrations) ameliorated deleterious effects of salinity. The time aspect of SA application was important as plants pretreated with SA solutions before or simultaneously with initiation of salinity had larger shoot and root dry weight; higher number of inflorescences; and quality parameters, such as total soluble solids (TSS), in comparison to salinity stress-exposed plants.