The Influence of the Concentration of the Hydroponic Nutrient Culture Solutions on the Cracking of Cherry Tomato with Special Emphasis on Water Relationship.

Abstract

The relationships between the concentration of nutrient culture solutions and cracking in cherry tomato cv. Sun Cherry were studied.1. From 10 days after planting to the end of harvest, plants were grown in a half, one and double concentrations of the standard nutrient solution. The frequency of fruit cracking increased as the solution became more concentrated. With increasing concentration, fruit weight and fruit and leaf water potentials (Ψw) decreased, whereas the soluble solids content of fruit increased.2. Diurnal differences in Ψw of fully ripe fruit and of the leaf became larger as the solution concentrations increased; conversely, the fruit osmotic potential (Ψs) decreased. Therefore, fruit pressure potential (Ψp) approached a maximam at 2 AM and a minimum at 2 PM.3. Compared to a bright, sunny day, fruit and leaf Ψw were greater on a rainy day. Fruit Ψw increased as the culture solution became more concentrated.