Summary
This hydroponic study demonstrated that exogenous application of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a hydrogen sulphide donor, significantly improved iron availability and strawberry yield when plants were cultured with the inexpensive ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) source rather than the costlier Fe-EDTA chelate. NaHS treatment enhanced growth metrics and photosynthetic efficiency whilst reducing oxidative stress markers by strengthening the antioxidant enzyme system and improving cell membrane integrity. The findings suggest that H2S-mediated enhancement of antioxidant defences may be a practical mechanism to improve iron uptake and plant performance in low-cost soilless systems.
Regional applicability
The study was conducted under controlled hydroponic conditions and may have limited direct application to United Kingdom soil-based or outdoor strawberry production systems. However, the findings could be relevant to UK glasshouse and protected strawberry production, which represents a significant portion of domestic supply, and the mechanism of H2S-enhanced iron bioavailability may inform future nutrient management strategies in soilless horticulture.
Key measures
Vegetative and reproductive growth, fruit yield, chlorophyll SPAD value, maximum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), iron availability, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, electrolyte leakage (EL), and enzymatic antioxidant activities (ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase)
Outcomes reported
The study measured vegetative growth, fruit yield, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, iron concentration, and oxidative stress markers in hydroponically grown strawberry plants treated with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) as a hydrogen sulphide donor under two iron sources.
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