Researchers found that spraying strawberry plants with a special silicon mixture helps them grow bigger, produce more fruit, and become more nutritious. The study tested different amounts of silicon spray combined with different levels of phosphorus fertilizer (a nutrient plants need). Plants that received a medium amount of phosphorus fertilizer plus the silicon spray produced 68% more strawberries than plants that received no treatment. The strawberries also had more vitamins and healthy compounds that protect our bodies. This discovery could help farmers grow better strawberries, especially in soil that doesn’t naturally have enough phosphorus.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether spraying strawberry plants with silicon (a mineral) helps them absorb phosphorus better and produce healthier, more nutritious fruit.
  • Who participated: Strawberry plants grown in a greenhouse, tested with different combinations of silicon spray amounts and phosphorus fertilizer levels. The exact number of plants wasn’t specified in the paper.
  • Key finding: Plants sprayed with silicon and given a medium amount of phosphorus fertilizer produced 68% more strawberries and had significantly higher levels of vitamin C and antioxidants (healthy compounds) compared to plants receiving no treatment.
  • What it means for you: If you grow strawberries or buy them from local farmers, this research suggests that using silicon spray could help produce tastier, more nutritious berries. However, this study was done in a greenhouse, so results might differ in outdoor gardens or different climates.

The Research Details

Scientists conducted an experiment where they grew strawberry plants in a greenhouse and tested different combinations of treatments. They sprayed some plants with silicon-aminochelate (a form of silicon mixed with amino acids to help plants absorb it better) at three different strengths: none, 2 mL per liter of water, and 4 mL per liter of water. They also gave the plants four different amounts of phosphorus fertilizer: none, 7.5 kg per hectare, 15 kg per hectare, and 30 kg per hectare. This created 12 different treatment combinations that the researchers compared.

Throughout the growing season, the researchers measured how much the plants grew, how many strawberries they produced, and tested the strawberries and plant leaves for nutrients and healthy compounds. They specifically looked for phosphorus and silicon in the leaves, vitamin C in the fruit, and antioxidants (compounds that help protect cells from damage).

This type of study is called a factorial experiment because it tests multiple factors (silicon spray amounts and phosphorus levels) at the same time to see how they work together.

Understanding how silicon helps plants use phosphorus better is important because phosphorus is often lacking in certain types of soil, especially calcareous soils (soils with high calcium content). By finding ways to help plants use phosphorus more efficiently, farmers can use less fertilizer while still growing healthy, productive crops. This saves money and reduces environmental impact.

The study was published in BMC Plant Biology, a reputable scientific journal. The researchers tested multiple combinations of treatments and measured several important outcomes (yield, nutrients, antioxidants), which strengthens their conclusions. However, the study was conducted only in a greenhouse with one type of strawberry plant, so results might not apply to all growing conditions or strawberry varieties. The exact number of plants tested wasn’t clearly stated in the abstract, which makes it harder to assess the study’s statistical power.

What the Results Show

The best results came from combining a medium amount of phosphorus fertilizer (15 kg per hectare) with the higher dose of silicon spray (4 mL per liter). This combination produced strawberries weighing 599.93 grams total—a 68% increase compared to plants that received no treatment at all. Interestingly, plants that received the highest phosphorus level (30 kg per hectare) with less silicon spray produced similar amounts of fruit as plants with medium phosphorus and more silicon spray. This suggests that silicon spray might allow plants to use phosphorus more efficiently, so farmers don’t need to use as much fertilizer.

The strawberries from plants receiving the optimal treatment (4 mL/L silicon spray + 15 kg/ha phosphorus) also had the highest levels of beneficial compounds. They contained 129.03 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit, 0.45 mg of flavonoids (antioxidants) per gram, and had a total antioxidant capacity of 94.38%. These numbers indicate that the fruit was significantly more nutritious and healthier.

When researchers examined the plant leaves, they found that plants receiving 2 mL/L silicon spray combined with 15 kg/ha phosphorus had the highest levels of phosphorus in both leaves and roots. This shows that silicon spray helps plants absorb and store phosphorus more effectively.

The study found that silicon spray increased the levels of several protective compounds in strawberries, including total phenols and total flavonoids—both types of antioxidants that help protect our bodies from cellular damage. All treatments that included both silicon spray and phosphorus fertilizer showed improvements in plant growth and fruit quality compared to the control group. Even the lowest dose of silicon spray (2 mL/L) combined with phosphorus fertilizer produced meaningful improvements.

Previous research has shown that silicon can improve plant health and nutrient uptake, but this study is one of the first to specifically examine how silicon spray affects phosphorus absorption in strawberries. The researchers’ findings align with earlier studies showing that silicon helps plants produce organic acids in their roots that make phosphorus more available in the soil. This study extends that knowledge by showing practical benefits for strawberry production.

This experiment was conducted only in a greenhouse with controlled conditions, so results might differ in outdoor gardens or different climates. The study tested only one strawberry variety, so the results might not apply to all types of strawberries. The abstract doesn’t specify how many individual plants were tested, making it difficult to assess whether the results are statistically reliable. The study was conducted in one location during one growing season, so results might vary in different regions or years. Additionally, the long-term effects of repeated silicon applications weren’t examined.

The Bottom Line

For strawberry growers in greenhouses or areas with phosphorus-poor soil: Consider using a silicon spray (4 mL/L of Si-aminochelate) combined with 15 kg/ha of phosphorus fertilizer to maximize yield and nutritional quality. This combination appears to be more effective than using higher amounts of phosphorus fertilizer alone. Confidence level: Moderate—this study shows promising results but was conducted only in greenhouse conditions. For home gardeners: While this research is encouraging, you may want to consult with local agricultural experts about whether silicon spray is practical and available for home use in your area.

Commercial strawberry growers, especially those using greenhouse production or farming in areas with phosphorus-deficient soil, should find this research most relevant. Home gardeners interested in maximizing strawberry nutrition and yield might also benefit. Consumers who want to support more efficient, sustainable farming practices should care about this research because it shows how to grow better strawberries with less fertilizer. People with specific dietary needs for vitamin C or antioxidants might be interested in strawberries grown using these methods.

Based on the study design, improvements in plant growth and fruit production should be visible within one growing season (typically 2-3 months for strawberries). The increase in antioxidants and vitamin C would also be present in fruit harvested during that same season. Long-term benefits of repeated applications over multiple seasons weren’t studied.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you’re a farmer or gardener using this method, track weekly measurements of plant height, number of flowers, and total fruit weight harvested. Also note the date of silicon spray applications and phosphorus fertilizer amounts used. Compare these metrics to your previous growing seasons to measure improvement.
  • If you grow strawberries: Start by applying silicon spray at the recommended 4 mL/L concentration every 2-3 weeks during the growing season, combined with 15 kg/ha of phosphorus fertilizer. Monitor your plants’ appearance and fruit production compared to previous years. If you buy strawberries: Look for locally-grown strawberries from farmers using sustainable practices like silicon spray, which may indicate higher nutritional quality.
  • Track total strawberry yield per plant or per growing area, measure vitamin C content or taste quality of harvested berries (sweeter berries typically have more antioxidants), and monitor plant health indicators like leaf color and size. Keep records across multiple growing seasons to see if benefits are consistent and whether you can reduce phosphorus fertilizer use over time while maintaining or improving results.

This research was conducted in a controlled greenhouse environment and may not apply to all growing conditions, climates, or strawberry varieties. Before implementing these recommendations, consult with local agricultural extension services or agronomists familiar with your specific growing conditions and soil type. Silicon spray products and their availability vary by region—verify that Si-aminochelate products are approved and available in your area. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional agricultural advice. Individual results may vary based on factors not studied in this research, including soil type, water quality, temperature, and humidity.