Journal of Agronomy and Field Innovations

Background: Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a globally significant horticultural crop valued for its nutritional richness and market demand, yet productivity is frequently constrained by abiotic and biotic stresses that compromise yield and fruit quality. Amino acid-based biostimulants have emerged as an eco-friendly strategy for enhancing crop performance within sustainable horticultural systems.
Objective: This study evaluated the effects of foliar-applied free amino acid and protein hydrolysate biostimulants, singly and in combination, on the growth, yield, physiological status, biochemical response, and fruit quality of strawberry.
Methods: A field trial was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design comprising five treatments (control, two amino acid concentrations, a protein hydrolysate, and a combined formulation) replicated four times. Growth, yield, physiological, biochemical, and fruit quality parameters were recorded and analyzed by ANOVA followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test at P < 0.05.
Results: Amino acid-based treatments significantly increased plant height, total yield, and marketable yield relative to the control, with the combined formulation producing the greatest gains (41.3% yield increase). Chlorophyll content, proline accumulation, and antioxidant enzyme activities rose significantly, while malondialdehyde content declined, indicating improved photosynthetic capacity and reduced oxidative stress. Fruit quality attributes, including total soluble solids and vitamin C content, improved significantly across all biostimulant treatments (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Amino acid-based biostimulants, particularly combined free amino acid and protein hydrolysate formulations, effectively enhance strawberry growth, yield, and fruit quality through improved photosynthesis, nutrient assimilation, and stress tolerance, supporting their integration into sustainable strawberry production systems.