Interactive Effects of Mulching Materials and Biofertilizers on Growth, Root Biomass, and Leaf Chlorophyll of Greenhouse-Grown 'Albion' Strawberry

• Zainab Muhammad Hamza1, Kawther Sahib Ahmed Al-Jasim1*, and Bassim Haleem Kshash1

  Author

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is a valuable commercial crop whose shallow rooting structure makes it highly sensitive to root-zone variations. Although both soil mulching and biofertilization improve microenvironmental conditions and soil properties, thereby enhancing crop performance, their interactive effects in protected cropping systems have yet to be fully studied. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of mulching techniques and biofertilizers on morpho-physiological properties and biomass of greenhouse-grown strawberries cv. 'Albion'. A factorial experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions with two main factors: Mulching Factor (Un-Mulch, Black Polyethylene Mulch, and Organic Wheat Straw Mulch) and Biofertilizer Factor (No-Biofertilizer, BioHealth, Fulzyme, and BioHealth + Fulzyme combination). Parameters assessed included vegetative and biomass indices: leaf number leaves plant⁻¹, leaf area cm² plant^-¹, fresh weight of the root system g plant⁻¹, and dry weight of the root system g plant⁻¹. Physiological parameter: chlorophyll content (SPAD index). Mulching and bio-fertilization had significant effects on plant growth and physiology compared to untreated treatments. The use of Black Polyethylene Mulch + BioHealth + Fulzyme showed a significant interaction in improving photosynthetic ability (SPAD). Using soil mulching along with PGPM inoculation is a sustainable method of managing roots. The combination of mulching along with the use of PGPM enhances the structure and, therefore, yield of 'Albion' strawberries grown under glasshouse conditions.

• pdf