Fruit Quality and Plant Productivity of A Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) Grown under Different Irrigation Regimes during the Reproductive Phase

Abstract

The impact of water deficit severity and the specific growth stages at which water stress is applied have been found to have significant implications for both tomato yield and fruit quality. Recent findings have highlighted the influence of water deficits during the reproductive phase on tomato fruit quality. This study aimed to assess the effects of deficit irrigation on tomato fruit quality and overall plant productivity. Cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) were grown in a greenhouse from August to November 2022. Three distinct watering regimes were implemented: Daily watering (T1), watering every 3 days (T2) and watering every 7 days (T3), starting from the flowering stage and continuing through subsequent plant development stages. The mean soil metric potentials (SMP) were −4.9, −29.7 and −52.8 kPa for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Various traits of fruit size, fruit biomass, total soluble solids (TSS), water content, glucose content and lycopene content were measured. Additionally, the overall plant biomass and root-to-shoot ratio were evaluated. The results revealed that traits of the fruit size, such as diameter, length, volume and fresh weight, were most favorable when plants were subjected to the T2 watering regime, while higher and lower watering frequencies led to smaller fruit sizes. Interestingly, the TSS concentration had the most pronounced response to drought stress, indicating increased fruit sweetness. However, the fruit water content, glucose content and lycopene content remained unaffected by the different watering regimes. Furthermore, plants subjected to the T3 with the minimum SMP at −196.4 kPa exhibited enhanced development of the root system, prioritizing resource acquisition such as water and mineral nutrients over shoot components. In conclusion, this study provided valuable insights for agricultural practitioners, offering a range of alternatives that can inform optimal irrigation strategies that effectively enhance the quality of cherry tomato yields. HIGHLIGHTS Water deficits during the reproductive phase have a notable impact on tomato fruit quality Three distinct watering regimes, including daily watering (T1), watering every 3 days (T2) and watering every 7 days (T3), were implemented, with mean soil metric potentials for T1, T2 and T3 recorded at −4.9, −29.7 and −52.8 kPa, respectively T2 watering regime resulted in the most favorable fruit size (diameter, length, volume and fresh weight), while higher and lower watering frequencies led to smaller fruit sizes Total soluble solid concentration showed a pronounced response to drought stress, indicating increased fruit sweetness, while glucose content and lycopene content were unaffected by different watering regimes The study provides valuable insights for agricultural practitioners, suggesting alternative irrigation strategies to enhance the quality of cherry tomato yields GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT