Remediation of Cadmium Stress in Strawberry Plants Using Humic Acid and Silicon Applications

Abstract

(1) Background: Strawberry plants are strongly affected by heavy-metal-contaminated soils, which affects plant growth, yield and fruit quality. The aim of this work was to study the effects of a combination and individual application of silicon (Si) and humic acid (HA) on growth and development of Rubygem strawberries exposed to cadmium (Cd) in greenhouse conditions. (2) Methods: Morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters, including minerals in roots and leaves were determined. (3) Results: Cd stress in strawberry plants decreased plant fresh and dry weight; leaf stomatal conductance; leaf relative water content and chlorophyll content; number of leaves; leaf area; leaf N, P and K levels; and root P, N, Mg, K and Ca contents. Cd increased membrane permeability, leaf temperature, proline levels and lipid peroxidation. Si and HA individual applications to strawberries mitigated the negative effect of Cd stress on biochemical, physiological, morphological and minerals parameters by decreasing membrane permeability, leaf temperature, proline levels and lipid peroxidation. (4) Conclusions: Our findings highlighted that applications of Si, HA and Si + HA were effective in conferring Cd tolerance in strawberry plants by upregulating their many morphological, physiological and biochemical properties and reducing Cd stress.