Effect of salt stress by “onsen” water on plant growth and fruit quality of tomato cv. Reika in pot soil

Aloys Musabyisoni,B Waweru,T Nishizawa

doi:10.36253/ahsc-10714

Aloys Musabyisoni, B Waweru + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.36253/ahsc-10714

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Abstract

Salt stress often can enhance fruit quality of tomatoes. Seawater is one of the substrates used by growers. However, utilization of seawater on tomato production is difficult in the hinterland as it is far away from the seaside. Some “onsen” water also show high salt concentration (2%). Therefore, it could be also used as a substrate of salt stress treatment. In this study, salt stress was provided by Yupoka “onsen” water, and the effects of different nutrient ECs on plant growth and fruit quality of tomatoes were investigated. Tomato plants ‘Reika’ were grown in pot soil, and nutrients with EC 2, 4, 8 and 12 mS/cm were applied at the time of irrigation. The fruits were harvested at turning stage until the 3rd truss. Soil salinity attained EC 3.6, 6.7, 12.8, and 15.6 mS/cm. SSC, organic acid, dry matter and NO3-increased by 50, 79, 50 and 27%, respectively at EC12 mS/cm while, weight, size, and water content decreased up to 40, 20, and 4%, respectively. However, fruit cracking did not occur apparently. Most of the plant growth parameters were reduced.

Highlights

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most widely cultivated horticultural crops in the world (FAO, 2016)
The fruit weight, size decline up to 50% whilst dry matter almost doubled in EC12 mS/cm (Fig. 2)
Massaretto et al (2018) demonstrated that soluble solids content is an important fruit quality parameter which increases depending on the salinity levels

Summary

Introduction

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most widely cultivated horticultural crops in the world (FAO, 2016). Tomato fruits are rich in min erals, vitamins, essential amino acids, sugars and dietary fibres and contribute to a healthy, wellbalanced diet. Improvement of fruit quality is an urgent issue for tomato growers and consumers (Ho, 1999; Lu et al, 2019). Sugars and organic acids are the most important factors for determining the fruit quality (Lu et al, 2019). Soluble Solids Content (SSC) of ripe tomato fruit is usually 3 to 5% and can reach values over 10% (Balibrea et al, 2006; Gautier et al, 2010). In Japan, “Shio” or salt tomatoes, are cultivated in the area of Uto and Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture. They are grown on drained land, rich in salt and other minerals. The wholesale price of “Shio” tomato (have SSC of 10% or higher) is often ten times higher than common tomatoes (http://higoayuminokai.co.jp/sawamura.html)

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