APPLIED ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, vol.21, no.5, pp.1-15, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
Photosynthesis decline, resulting from changing evapotranspiration levels and varying growing
conditions, can lead to crop failure. To prevent damage, it is essential to assess carotenoid and
chlorophyll content, and crop responses to limited irrigation. In this experiment, we studied strawberry
responses to photosynthetic pigments, physiological parameters, and macronutrient concentrations under
different irrigation levels (IR100 and IR50), mulch colors (black, silver, transparent), and harvest dates in
Turkey. The results showed significant effects on total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll a/b, and
carotenoid levels due to irrigation and dap applications. Fruit N, P, and K concentrations were
significantly influenced by irrigation and mulch colors but unaffected by different periods. Leaf water
potential (ΨL) and stomatal conductance (gs) were significantly impacted by all treatments. Silver mulch
retained more water (31%) and had higher gs (28%) than other treatments. Silver and black mulch
resulted in the highest macro nutrient concentrations in the fruit. IR50 reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid
levels, ΨL, gs, and N, P, and K concentrations. Our findings highlight the benefits of using appropriate
mulch colors and irrigation amounts, with silver mulch × IR100 combination mitigating the impact of
limited irrigation under Mediterranean climate conditions