The use of mineral dynamised high dilutions for natural plant biostimulation; effects on plant growth, crop production, fruit quality, pest and disease incidence in agroecological strawberry cultivation
Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) are one of the most important fruit
crops worldwide. Most of the strawberries that are produced today rely on
the use of pesticides and fungicides, leading the crop to be listed as one of
the most contaminated by contentious inputs. Plant biostimulants are
used as a plant health strategy focused on stimulating plant growth and
development with a low residual impact. The objective of this study was
to assess the plant biostimulation effects of strawberry plants treated with
mineral dynamised high dilutions (DHDs): Sulphur 12CH, Phosphorus
12CH, Kali carbonicun 12CH, Calcarea carbonica 12CH, Silicea terra 12CH,
Natrum muriaticum 12CH and Mercurius solubilis 12 CH, distilled water
12CH and distilled water (control). The experiment was undertaken under
greenhouse conditions at the University of Santa Catarina State (UDESC),
in Lages, Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil in 2019 and was repeated in 2021 at
the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), in Curitibanos, SC. The
experiment used a randomised block design, following double-blind
treatment application. Data were analysed by ANOVA and when signifi-
cant (p ≤ 0.05) by Dunnett’s test. The results showed that plants treated
with DHDs of Sulphur 12CH, Phosphorus 12CH and Kali carbonicum 12CH
increased plant growth and crop yield and were less affected by leaf spot
disease (Mycosphaerella fragariae). Plants treated with Silicea terra 12CH,
or with Calcarea carbonica 12CH showed increased development of the
root system. The results obtained suggested that mineral DHDs could be
used as plant biostimulants to support agroecological strawberry
production.