Strawberry plants (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) are very susceptible to salinity. In order to investigate the interactive effects of paclobutrazol (PP333) and salinity on flowering, yield and fruit quality of strawberry plants, three levels of NaCl [0, 5, 10 mM] were incorporated into the nutrient solution and four levels of PP333 [0, 10, 20, 30 mg/L] were sprayed on the plants. PP333 application caused reduction in inflorescence length, but increased inflorescence and flower number. Salinity reduced number of achenes per fruit. However a foliar application of 10 mg/L of PP333 reduced the effect of salinity at 10 mM NaCl salinity and significantly increased the number of achenes per fruit. PP333 at 30 mg/L completely overcame any negative effects of 10 mM NaCl salinity on fruit yield while increasing fruit total soluble solids (TSS). The highest level of PP333 (30 mg/L) resulted in reduced titratable acidity (TA) on salt-treated (5, 10 mM) plants. The ratio of TSS/TA tended to increase with increased application rates of PP333. Salinity resulted in reduced vitamin C, but applications of 20 mg/L of PP333 significantly increased vitamin C in both levels of salinity (5, 10 mM).

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