Combined Treatment of Salinity Stress and Fruit Thinning Effect on Tomato

Abstract

This was an experimental investigation of the combined treatments of salinity (SAL) stress and fruit thinning (FT) on the growth, yield, fruit quality, and water use efficiency (WUE) of tomatoes with non-soil cultivation. The experiment was carried out in a plastic tunnel, Japan. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cv. Momotaro seedlings were transplanted in a randomized complete block (RCB) manner with six plants/treatment, and an overall 36 plants in 18 pots (2 plants/pot). The experiment involved varying SAL treatment (no-SAL, moderate SAL, and serious SAL, with electroconductivity of 0.8, 3.0, and 4.5 dS m−1, separately) and FT treatment (NT: no thinning and 3FT: three-fruit treatment). The tomato growth, yield, and WUE were significantly suppressed with increasing SAL. In comparison, FT treatment had less effect on tomato growth and water consumption. Either SAL stress or FT treatment significantly improved fruit quality. The combined treatment proved better than single treatment of either SAL stress or FT, avoided the subsize fruit following SAL stress treatment, reduced fruit cracking found with FT treatment, and greatly improved fruit quality. The SAL thresholds of WUEs in relation to biomass, yield, and marketable yield were approximately 3.0 dS m−1 under these soilless conditions. Path analysis showed that biomass and water consumption were important indexes affecting yield. Logistic equation fitting showed that SAL stress tended to inhibit and delay plant growth; however, FT tended to advance and shorten the period of plant growth.

Salinity and Variety Effects on Yield, Yield Attributes and Soil of Tomato under Greenhouse Conditions of Central Fiji

“…A maximum of 4.25 cm fruit length was observed from the application of the concentration of saltwater at EC 4 dSm -1 however, a minimum of 3.55 cm was recorded from the application of the concentration of saltwater at EC 8 dSm -1 . Salinity stress reduced marketable yield by reducing fruit size (Zhang et al, 2022). Ahmed et al (2017) also supported the results and reported that plants irrigated with fresh water gave the tallest fruit followed by treatment (Freshwater) whereas the shortest fruit followed by treatment (10 dSm -1 ).…”

“…This result agreed with the findings of Mou (2021); El-mogy et al (2018), Islam et al (2011) and Mazumder (2016 a and b). Zhang et al (2022) discovered that the overall yield of tomatoes was remarkably decreased at the salinity of 5 dSm "1 and above. The highest fruit yield of 432.17 g was observed from Alafua Large and no saltwater application (Control) and the lowest 64.69 g was recorded from Alton and the application of the concentration of saltwater at EC 8 dSm -1 (Table 2).…”

Plant Biostimulants Enhance Tomato Resilience to Salinity Stress: Insights from Two Greek Landraces

“…According to Caro et al [85], larger tomato fruits appear to have lower resilience to salt stress compared to small-sized. Furthermore, the presence of 30 mM NaCl in the root zone reduced the firmness of the mid-type cultivar 'Thessaloniki' [102,103]. This phenomenon may be attributed to loss of skin elasticity due to reduced cell wall extensibility associated with saline conditions, resulting in reduced resistance to cuticle tearing and cracking, as suggested by Miriam SR et al [104].…”