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Climate change

Strawberry Cultivars Show Drought Tolerance Under Stressful Conditions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at the University of Cukurova in Adana, Turkiye, have evaluated the drought tolerance mechanisms in 22 strawberry cultivars under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought stress in controlled greenhouse conditions. The study, funded by the European Union (EU), found that cultivar-specific drought response strategies, including sugar accumulation, chlorophyll stability, and antioxidant capacity, serve as reliable screening markers for breeding programs targeting enhanced drought resilience.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fifteen strawberry cultivars were evaluated in the first year and seven selected cultivars in the second year, including Turkish local varieties.
  • Key physiological and biochemical parameters, including relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, Photosynthetic Quantum Yield, leaf dry matter content (LDMC), sugar composition, and antioxidant capacity, were assessed.
  • Drought stress significantly reduced RWC by 13.1% in year one and 7.5% in year two, while chlorophyll content declined by 4.8% and 6.6%, respectively.
  • Photosynthetic Quantum Yield decreased by 7.9% and 12.2% across the two years.
  • LDMC increased by approximately 16% in both years, indicating morphological adaptation to water deficit.
  • Carbohydrate accumulation was the most striking response, particularly in year one, where total sugar content in 'Sweet Charlie' increased from 3.48% to 28.42%, and 'Monterey' showed an increase from 2.69% to 22.90%.
  • Year two exhibited more moderate sugar responses but stronger correlations between sugar content and RWC (glucose: r = 0.93), suggesting refined osmotic adjustment mechanisms.
  • Antioxidant activity increased across all genotypes under stress, with 'Festival' and 'Sabrina' achieving over 90% antioxidant activity.
  • Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering effectively discriminated drought-tolerant from sensitive cultivars.
  • 'Brilliance' demonstrated superior drought tolerance, maintaining high RWC (89.2%) and stable sugar metabolism under stress conditions.
  • The study reveals cultivar-specific drought response strategies, with sugar accumulation, chlorophyll stability, and antioxidant capacity serving as reliable screening markers.

Statistics:

  • 22 strawberry cultivars were evaluated in the study
  • 15 cultivars were evaluated in the first year and 7 in the second year
  • RWC decreased by 13.1% in year one and 7.5% in year two under drought stress
  • Chlorophyll content declined by 4.8% and 6.6% in year one and two, respectively
  • Photosynthetic Quantum Yield decreased by 7.9% and 12.2% across the two years
  • LDMC increased by approximately 16% in both years
  • Carbohydrate accumulation increased by 625% in 'Sweet Charlie' and 642% in 'Monterey' in year one
  • Correlation between sugar content and RWC was 0.93 in year two

Sources:

  • "Screening of Strawberry (fragaria X Ananassa Duch.) Cultivars for Drought Tolerance Based On Physiological and Biochemical Responses Under Peg-induced Stress." Frontiers in Plant Science, 2025;16.
  • Azam Akbari, University of Cukurova, Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. of Horticulture, Adana, Turkiye
  • Sule Hilal Attar, Dogan Ergun, Hayriye Yildiz Dasgan, Boran Ikiz, Salih Kafkas, Nesibe Ebru Kafkas, Duygu Ayvaz Sonmez, Betul Yesil, Omer Faruk Bilgin, Merve Onur Bozkurt, and Bruno Mezzetti.

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