Differential Response of Lycoperiscon and Solanum Species to Salinity1

Abstract

Lycopersicon and Solanum species and an F1 hybrid of L. esculentum × S. lycopersicoides differed in growth and concentration of elements in leaves in response to levels of NaCl in outdoor sand culture. S. lycopersicoides and its hybrid with the tomato were more sensitive to NaCl on the basis of reduction in dry matter accumulation than L. esculentum, L. peruvianum, or S. pennellii. The dry weights of S. lycopersicoides and the F1 grown without NaCl in the rooting medium were 6 times greater than the average of L. esculentum, L. peruvianum, and S. pennellii, but only 2 times greater when the plants were grown with 294 meq NaCl/liter of rooting medium nutrient solution. S. lycopersicoides and the F1 were fruitless. The average tops without fruit of all species had 10.9% dry weight when grown without NaCl while tops of plants grown with 294 meq NaCl/liter nutrient solution had 14.0% dry wight. NaCl in the rooting medium increased the concentration of Na less in the leaves of S. lycopersicoides and the F1 than the other species and increased the Cl concentration in the leaves of all species. S. lycopersicoides and the F1 had higher concentration of K, and lower Ca in the leaves than the other species. S. pennellii had higher concentrations of Fe and Mn in the leaves than other species.