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[Objectives] The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulation and mechanism of hydrogen-rich water (HRW)on the growth and photosynthesis of strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch.). This would benefit agriculture by the application of HRW. [Methods]HRW was used to irrigate strawberries, and parameters such as leaf growth, photosynthetic gas exchange and photosynthetic efficiency were determined. Surface water irrigation was as the control. [Results]After the treatment, the leaf area of strawberries increased, the dry weight and fresh weight of leaves increased by 57.7% and 60.4%, respectively, and the relative growth rate and net assimilation rate increased by 50.0% and 59.9%, respectively, indicating that HRW had a significant effect in promoting strawberry growth. After HRW treatment, the chlorophyll a content increased by 14.4%, the chlorophyll b content did not change significantly, and the net photosynthetic rate of leaves increased by 22.3%, the contents of soluble sugar, glucose and sucrose in leaves significantly increased. After HRW treatment, the electron transport rate of PSⅡ increased but was not significant, while the significant decrease of quantum yield of photosystems Ⅱ nonregulatory energy dissipation Y(NO)indicated that the protection and regulation ability of the PSⅡ of strawberry leaves was improved. While the electron transport rate of PSⅠ and effective photochemical quantum yield Y(I) significantly increased, suggesting that the cyclic electron flow of PSⅠ was improved. Further analysis showed that the transmembrane proton gradient(ΔpH)was significantly higher than that of the control, accounting for the main part of proton motive force, and the ATP content increased by 43.9% compared with the control, confirming the cyclic electron flow results. [Conclusions]Hydrogen-rich water can promote growth and photosynthesis of strawberry leaf by enhancing cyclic photosynthesis electron flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]