Evaluation of Zinc efficiency and some of nutritional and physiological responses of tomatoes cultivars

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is an enzyme cofactor involved in plant metabolism, required in auxin biosynthesis and membrane integrity required to maintain ion transport systems. Nonetheless, only a few studies have shown that Zn is efficient in tomatoes. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the responses of several tomato cultivars to Zn application and classify the tomato cultivars that were efficient and responsive to Zn. This study utilized seven commercial lowland tomato cultivars (Tyrana, Permata, Mirah, Tombatu, Zamrud, Tymoti, and Ratna) and comprised five levels of Zn dose 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg Zn kg−1, which is given in the form of ZnSO4 7 H2O. Based on the results of the analysis, the study revealed that the application of ZnSO4 up to 40 mg Zn kg−1 could increase the growth of tomato roots, while at a dose of 20 mg, Zn kg−1 could provide the most excellent physiological efficiency and utilization efficiency in tomato plants. The Tyrana and Permata cultivars are a group of cultivars that are efficient and responsive to Zn. This shows that both cultivars can grow under conditions of low Zn supply and response to Zn fertilizer.