Utilization of Growth Hormones in Commercial Strawberry Production- A Review

Abstract

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a significant fruit crop cultivated worldwide, noted for its nutritional benefits and economic importance. However, the cultivation of strawberries in commercial environments faces significant challenges, including insufficient yields, irregular fruit ripening, and a limited post-harvest shelf life. The application of plant growth hormones offers a potential answer to these issues by regulating critical physiological processes, such as fruit set, growth, ripening, and stress responses. This investigation investigates the utilisation of essential growth hormones—auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, and brassinosteroids—in enhancing strawberry productivity and fruit quality. Auxins, particularly indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), have been shown to increase fruit weight by up to 20% by facilitating improved fruit set and reducing fruit drop. Gibberellins (GA) facilitate cell elongation, resulting in a 25-30% augmentation in fruit size, while cytokinins stimulate cell division and improve yield by 15-18%. The roles of abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene in ripening are crucial, with ABA applications leading to a 12-15% enhancement in the sugar concentration of strawberries, as measured by the Brix index. Moreover, brassinosteroids are acknowledged for their role in augmenting plant resilience to abiotic stimuli such as drought and heat, leading to a stress tolerance enhancement of up to 30%.  The application of growth hormones in strawberry cultivation has shown an economic advantage, enhancing yields by 15-30%. This is particularly pertinent in emerging markets like India, where current yields (15-20 tonnes per hectare) are below world levels (25-30 tonnes per hectare). The global strawberry market is projected to grow from USD 17.8 billion in 2021 to USD 23.1 billion by 2026. The judicious use of growth hormones is crucial for ensuring fruit quality, reducing waste, and increasing profitability. This investigation highlights the potential use of growth hormone to address major agricultural difficulties, improving both the yield and market attractiveness of strawberries, while providing insights into the development of more sustainable and economically viable farming practices.