Physiological and biochemical response of strawberry cv. diamond to nano zeolite soil application and cinnamic acid foliar application.

The increasing global population and climate change are pressing challenges that necessitate innovative agricultural solutions to ensure food security. One promising approach is the use of nano fertilizers and foliar spraying techniques, which enhance nutrient delivery to plants. The purpose of this research was to examine how three different concentrations of nano zeolite (0, 30, and 60 mg L) applied to the soil through irrigation and three different concentrations of cinnamic acid (0, 100, and 200 µM) applied topically affected the physiological and biochemical characteristics of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. diamond, as well as the crop's yield and quality of its fruits. A factorial system with three replications was used in the experiment, which was designed in a completely randomized design. According to the data, all features except stomatal conductivity were considerably impacted by soil application of nano zeolite and foliar spraying of cinnamic acid. Moreover, cinnamic acid (200 µM) spray combined with soil application nano zeolite (60 mg L) decreased electrolyte leakage, transpiration rate, and malondialdehyde, while enhanced chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate, leaf dry matter, relative water content, fruit length and diameter, yield, and fruit quality parameters.