Effect of chlormequat and alar on some biochemical constituents in tomato plants and fruits.

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of various levels of chlormequat (CCC) and alar on the biochemical changes in tomato plants and fruits at different stages of growth. This experiment included spraying with chlormequat and alar separately in two equal doses (250, 500 and 1000 ppm CCC or alar 25 and 40 days after transplanting). The different levels of chlormequat decreased the accumulation of dry matter in tomato plants, but alar increased it. Chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids content of tomato plants increased by the application of CCC or alar. The highest increase of concentration of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids in tomato plants were found by spraying with 500 ppm alar or CCC. The application of CCC and alar declined the percentage of carbohydrates and the highest decrease resulted by adding of 1000 ppm alar or CCC. Alar caused an increase in the percentage of total nitrogen at the different stages of growth. The concentration of P, K, Ca and Mg increased by the foliar spray of all treatments. Alar application at all used levels significantly increased the yield and also the weight of fruits. Highest plant productivity was obtained by using alar and CCC at 250 ppm, followed by 500 ppm. However, the highest concentration (1000 ppm) depressed the plant productivity. The concentration of juice, total soluble solids and vitamin C in tomato fruits increased at most of the levels added. But the percentage of total sugars and total acidity seemed to exert another trend. The highest concentration of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in fruits was obtained by foliar application of 500 ppm CCC or alar.