Interactive Effects of Genotype and Molybdenum Supply on Yield and Overall Fruit Quality of Tomato

Abstract

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential trace element for plant growth, development, and production. However, there is little known about the function and effects of molybdenum in tomato plants. The present study assessed the influences of different Mo concentrations on four tomato F1 hybrids (“Bybal” F1, “Tyty” F1, “Paride” F1, and “Ornela” F1) grown using a soilless system with different Mo levels [0.0, 0.5 (standard NS), 2.0, and 4.0 μmol L−1, respectively]. The crop yield, plant vigor, fruit skin color, TA, fruit water content as well as the accumulation of SSC, and some antioxidant compounds such as lycopene, polyphenols and ascorbic acid were evaluated. The minerals concentration, including nitrogen (N), Mo, iron (Fe), and copper (Cu), were measured in tomato fruits. Results revealed that tomato plants grown with 2.0 μmol Mo L−1 compared to plants grown with 0.5 μmol Mo L−1 incurred a significant increase of total yield by 21.7%, marketable yield by 9.1%, aboveground biomass by 16.7%, plant height at 50 DAT by 6.5%, polyphenol content by 3.5%, ascorbic acid by 1.0%, SSC by 3.5%, N fruit content by 24.8%, Mo fruit content by 20.0%, and Fe fruit content by 60.5%. However, the Mo concentration did not significantly influence the average fruit weight, b* fruit skin color coordinate and TA. Furthermore, tomato fruits from plants grown with 2.0 μmol Mo L−1 showed a lower Cu fruit content (16.1%) than fruits from plants grown with 0.5 μmol Mo L−1 (standard NS). Consequently, our study highlights the different behavior of the tomato genotypes tested when subjected to different levels of Mo concentration in the nutrient solution. Nevertheless, taking all in consideration our results clearly suggest that a Mo fertilization of 2.0 μmol Mo L−1 effectively enhance crop performance and overall fruit quality of tomato.

Increasing Sustainability of Growing Media Constituents and Stand-Alone Substrates in Soilless Culture Systems

“…Moreover, high precision in modulating nutrient solution composition, the exact dosage and controlled exposure, make SCS a good instrument to predict the product supply and enhance the organoleptic plant parameters and bioactive quality components. Moderate salinity and/or nutritional stress and the biofortification of vegetables with beneficial micronutrients to human health, such as iodine, iron, molybdenum, selenium, silicon, and zinc are well known methods that have been successfully used to enhance the health-promoting phytochemicals in vegetables [13,[39][40][41][42].…”

Influence of Harvest Stage and Rootstock Genotype on Compositional and Sensory Profile of the Elongated Tomato cv. “Sir Elyan”

“…In the Mediterranean Basin, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) represents a resource of primary economic and dietary importance [1]. Where quality is concerned, organoleptic traits and health-promoting compounds of fresh vegetables are becoming increasingly important [2,3], and for tomato these characteristics nowadays play a pivotal role in influencing consumers' preferences. From a nutraceutical viewpoint, tomato is a primary source of antioxidant in the human diet, with ascorbic acid, lycopene, and β-carotene being among the most effective in protecting human health from several degenerative diseases [4].…”

Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Photosynthesis and Growth of Tomato Plants as Affected by Long-Term Oxygen Root Zone Deprivation and Grafting

“…In the coastal regions of the Mediterranean Basin, it is one of most important field and greenhouse vegetable crops [6]. Over recent years, the greenhouse tomato has experienced a progressive transition to soilless culture, in order to meet the growing demands to produce vegetables with improved quality, health properties and ecological profile [7]. Tomato is considered susceptible to excessive substrate moisture [8], a condition to which plants are often exposed during growth stages following transplants.…”