Responses of water accumulation and solute metabolism in tomato fruit to water scarcity and implications for main fruit quality variables

Abstract

Fruit is important for human health, and applying deficit irrigation in fruit production is a strategy to regulate fruit quality and support environmental sustainability. Responses of different fruit quality variables to deficit irrigation have been widely documented, and much progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms of these responses. We review the effects of water shortage on fruit water accumulation considering water transport from the parent plant into the fruit determined by hydraulic properties of the pathway (including xylem water transport and transmembrane water transport regulated by aquaporins) and the driving force for water movement. We discuss water relations and solute metabolism that affect the main fruit quality variables (e.g. size, flavour, nutrition, and firmness) at the cellular level under water shortage. We also summarize the most recent advances in the understanding of responses of the main fruit quality variables to water shortage, considering the effects of variety, the severity of water deficit imposed, and the developmental stage of the fruit. We finally identify knowledge gaps and suggest avenues for future research. This review provides new insights into the stress physiology of fleshy fruit, which will be beneficial for the sustainable production of high-quality fruit under deficit irrigation.

Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Changes under Different Cover Crops, Soil Tillage and Nitrogen Fertilization Management

“…It was higher in 2015 compared to 2014 and in NT compared to T. Firmness measurement is a prime indicator of fruit quality, and is very important for establishing fruit shelf life. The lack of rainfall during the tomato harvesting period, observed in 2015 compared to 2014 (Table 1), might have caused higher firmness of tomatoes and fewer rotten fruits (Table 2), while the higher firmness in NT is difficult to explain considering that the mechanisms involved in the development of fruit firmness have yet to be clarified [28]. Concerning the crossing effects of cover crops and N treatments, the tomato fruits showed the highest value of firmness after black oat, and in no N (N 0 ).…”

Traditional Tomato Varieties Improve Fruit Quality Without Affecting Fruit Yield Under Moderate Salt Stress

“…Interestingly, both traditional varieties showed improved organoleptic fruit quality compared with “MM,” although the quality characteristics differed. “TP” is a variety of great interest because of its high SSC ( Figure 2C ), which is considered an important determinant of tomato fruit organoleptic quality ( Hou et al, 2020 ). Meanwhile, “MA” is interesting because of its high BY index ( Figure 2F ), which is a measure of overall fruit quality ( Rowland et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) is one of the most important horticultural crops worldwide and ranks second after potato in terms of global production and first in terms of yield ( FAOSTAT, 2018 ). The importance of tomato fruit for human health is reflected by its high consumption per capita, and the identification of tomato varieties that accumulate higher levels of primary and secondary metabolites in their fruit is a priority objective ( Hou et al, 2020 ).…”

Scheduling Regulated Deficit Irrigation with Leaf Water Potential of Cherry Tomato in Greenhouse and its Effect on Fruit Quality

“…The importance of water reduction in tomato crop is of high importance as this fruit is the second most consumed vegetable crop worldwide after potato, and because it is a model crop in the research of the physiology of fleshy fruits [9]. Their consumption is mainly based on the tomato sensory properties and on its health-promoting compounds.…”