Electrodegradation of Root Exudates to Mitigate Autotoxicity in Hydroponically Grown Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) Plants

Root exudates from strawberry plants are known to cause autotoxicity and benzoic acid (BA), a potent growth inhibitor, was found in the exudate. BA (400 μm) was easily decomposed by electrodegradation (ED) treatment at 10.0 V and 2.0 A after the addition of BA into nutrient solution. The growth of strawberry plantlets in nutrient solution containing BA (400 μm) or in control nutrient solution varied significantly depending on the use of ED treatment. The growth inhibition of plantlets in the BA-containing nutrient solution or in nutrient solution used for strawberry culture was significantly ameliorated by ED treatment. This growth recovery resulting from ED treatment was most pronounced in terms of the yield of strawberry fruit. These results suggest that ED treatment of the culture nutrient solution could result in the decomposition of toxic root exudates, including BA from strawberry plants, and mitigates the autotoxicity observed in closed hydroponic culture. In addition, the supplementation of Fe-EDTA is recommended after ED treatment as a result of the rapid decomposition of Fe-EDTA by ED.