Chlorophyll fluorescence as a tool for evaluation of drought stress in strawberry

The effect of water deficit on chlorophyll fluorescence, sugar content, and growth parameters of strawberry ( Fragaria x ananassa Duch. cv. Elsanta) was studied. Drought stress caused significant reductions in leaf water potential, fresh and dry masses, leaf area, and leaf number. A gradual reduction of photochemical quenching ( q(P)) and quantum efficiency (Phi(PS2)) was observed under drought stress while non-photochemical quenching ( q(N)) increased. Maximum efficiency of photosystem 2 ( F-v/F-m) was not affected by drought stress.