Salinity Stress in Strawberry: Biological Intervention Strategies and Breeding Approaches for Salt-Tolerant Cultivars

Soil salinity is a major constraint to strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivation, adversely affecting plant growth, yield, and fruit quality. Salinity stress triggers complex physiolog-ical and biochemical responses, including osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense, ion homeostasis, and shifts in metabolite accumulation. Genotype-specific variability in tol-erance highlights the potential for breeding salt-resilient cultivars. This review summa-rizes current knowledge on strawberry responses to salinity, emphasizing on the impacts on growth, photosynthesis, water relations, and fruit quality, as well as the underlying mechanisms of tolerance. In addition, it reviews biologically based approaches, including biostimulants, small signaling molecules, and plant–microbe interactions, that help alle-viate salinity stress and strengthen plant resilience. By integrating these physiological in-sights with advances in biological and breeding-based approaches, the review provides a comprehensive framework for improving strawberry performance under saline conditions and guiding future cultivation and genetic improvement strategies.