Tomato Fruit Production Research Articles

Deficiency of GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase, an enzyme required for ascorbic acid synthesis, reduces tomato fruit yield.

Reduced GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase expression and deficiency of ascorbic acid content lead to decreased fruit set and yield in tomato plants. Reduced GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase expression and deficiency of ascorbic acid content lead to decreased fruit set and yield in tomato plants. GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase (GGP) catalyzes the first step committed to ascorbic acid synthesis. The participation of GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase and ascorbate in tomato fruit production and quality was studied in this work using two SlGGP1 deficient EMS Micro-Tom mutants. The SlGGP1 mutants display decreased concentrations of ascorbate in roots, leaves, flowers, and fruit. The initiation of anthesis is delayed in ggp1 plants but the number of flowers is similar to wild type. The number of fruits is reduced in ggp1 mutants with an increased individual weight. However, the whole fruit biomass accumulation is reduced in both mutant lines. Fruits of the ggp1 plants produce more ethylene and show higher firmness and soluble solids content than the wild type after the breaker stage. Leaf CO2 uptake decreases about 50% in both ggp1 mutants at saturating light conditions; however, O2 production in an enriched CO2 atmosphere is only 19% higher in wild type leaves. Leaf conductance that is largely reduced in both mutants may be the main limitation for photosynthesis. Sink-source assays and hormone concentration were measured to determine restrictions to fruit yield. Manipulation of leaf area/fruit number relationship demonstrates that the number of fruits and not the provision of photoassimilates from the source restricts biomass accumulation in the ggp1 lines. The lower gibberellins concentration measured in the flowers would contribute to the lower fruit set, thus impacting in tomato yield. Taken as a whole these results demonstrate that ascorbate biosynthetic pathway critically participates in tomato development and fruit production.

New method of nutrient management in hydroponics and the application for production of low potassium tomato fruit.

Chronic kidney failure has become a global problem in recent years, and the patients are often restricted K intake because of the problem with excretion of excess K. Low K tomato fruit will improve the dietary habits of the patients and their QOL. In this study, a method of producing tomato fruit with low K content was investigated. Medium-sized and cherry tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) cultivars were used, and the supply of K was restricted using hydroponic technology. In medium-sized tomatoes, fruit K content decreased 40% to 60% depending on cultivar by K withdrawal from the nutrient solution. Although total soluble solid content showed a slight decrease, titratable acid content was affected by K restriction and decreased 20% to 40% depending on cultivar. In either case, K withdrawn in hydroponic culture from anthesis of the 3rd truss was effective in producing tomato fruit with low K, and could decrease the fruit K content to at least 50% of the expected tomato fruit K content. Next study, we applied the newly developed management method, quantitative management, about nutrient supply in hydroponics to control the K supply more precisely. In quantitative management, total amount of nutrients necessary for the plants to achieve their life cycle is divided by the estimated cultivation period. And the calculated amount of fertilizers is supplied to the solution tank at every regular interval. Low K fruit (100 mg K/100 g fruit) was achieved when 0.9 g of potassium was supplied. From these results, restriction of K supply in hydroponics with double or triple truss system is hopeful to produce low K tomato fruits, and quantitative control is thought to be more suitable for low K tomato production. Further study is necessary to expect the cultivation period accurately before the cultivation to plan the schedule of K supply.

Application of maximum quantum yield, a parameter of chlorophyll fluorescence, for early determination of bacterial wilt in tomato seedlings

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a devastating disease that limits tomato seedling and fruit production. Monitoring and early detection are required to effectively manage and reduce the spread of this disease. Seedlings of 30 tomato accessions from three Solanum spp. that came from different countries were grown under greenhouse conditions. Seedlings at the 4-leaf stage were inoculated with R. solanacearum. Disease severity was monitored using the chlorophyll fluorescence parameter (maximum quantum yield; Fv/Fm) until 5 days post inoculation (dpi). Visual symptoms were recorded daily until 16 dpi, and compared with non-infected control seedlings. Fv/Fm started to decrease at 2 dpi in most of the accessions and reached the lowest values at 5 dpi. Visual symptoms started to appear at 3 dpi for 16 accessions, and all of the moderately resistant and susceptible accessions showed visual symptoms at 5 dpi excluding four highly resistant accessions showing non visual disease index at 5 dpi. Finally, 17 accessions were susceptible to R. solanacearum, resulting in visual disease indices (DI) at 3–4 dpi and Fv/Fm values between 0.00 and 0.55. These plants died at the end of the experiment. Nine accessions were moderately resistant to R. solanacearum, showing visual DI values of 1–2 and Fv/Fm values between 0.55 and 0.65. However, four accessions were highly resistant to bacterial wilt and had visual DI values of 0 and Fv/Fm values between 0.65 and 0.83. Furthermore, the resistant genotypes did not show any changes in their visual DI until 16 dpi. Collectively, these results indicate that, depending on the genotype, R. solanacearum infection can be precisely predicted 1–2 days before visual symptoms appear in tomato seedlings. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameter can also be used to accurately screen for moderately resistant accessions.

Far-red radiation increases dry mass partitioning to fruits but reduces Botrytis cinerea resistance in tomato

The addition of far-red (FR, 700–800 nm) radiation to standard growth light triggers a set of photomorphogenic responses collectively termed shade avoidance syndrome. Recent research showed that additional FR increased fruit yield in greenhouse tomato production. However, the mechanism behind this increase is not clear; nor is it known whether there is a trade-off between growth and defense against plant diseases in tomato under additional FR. The aims of this study were 1) to quantify the effect of additional FR on tomato fruit growth, 2) to explain this effect based on underlying growth components and 3) to examine the FR effect on resistance against the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Moneymaker’) plants were grown for four months with 30 or 50 μmol m−2 s−1 of FR added to 150 μmol m−2 s−1 red + blue or white background LED lighting. Growth and development parameters were recorded, and a growth component analysis was conducted. Bioassays for resistance against B. cinerea were conducted on leaf samples collected from each light treatment. Additional FR increased total fruit dry mass per plant by 26–45%. FR affected multiple growth components, among which the fraction of dry mass partitioned to fruits was the most prominent with a 15–35% increase. Truss appearance rate was increased 11–14% by FR while instantaneous net photosynthesis rate was not affected. FR also resulted in more severe disease symptoms upon infection with B. cinerea. In conclusion, additional FR increases tomato fruit production mainly by increasing dry mass partitioning to fruits, rather than improving photosynthesis or increasing total plant biomass. However, FR also reduces resistance of tomato leaves against B. cinerea.

Sindy cherry tomato: A low potassium (K) demanding, high-quality and highly productive cultivar

Potassium (K) is one of the most abundant nutrient and has the greatest influence on fruit quality as it regulates the synthesis and translocation of photoassimilates in plants. K deficiency in tomato plants can compromise the quality and flavor of fruits. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of K doses on the production and quality of cherry tomato fruits in a hydroponic system. We cultivated the cherry tomato Hybrid Sindy for 120 days, from June to October, in an expanded clay sub irrigation system. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of increasing concentrations of K (6, 8, 10 and 12 mmol L-1) in the nutrient solution provided during the fructification period. It was evaluated production, mean weight of fruits and bunch, total soluble solids contents, titratable acidity, pH, and contents of lycopene, β-carotene, and a chlorophyll. The contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, boron, iron, zinc, and manganese were also determined in the fruits and in the third leaf above the fourth fruit bunch. Six mmol L-1 of K in the nutrient solution was enough to ensure the production and quality of the Sindy hybrid cherry tomato. Nevertheless, higher K doses improved the contents of the bioactive compounds lycopene and β -carotene in the fruits.

Performance and selection of tomato cultivars for organic cultivation in greenhouse

ABSTRACT Production of tomato fruits in organic systems has difficulties such as the use of adequate cultivars. The hypothesis is that organic cultivation has strength dependency of the selection of appropriate genotypes to increase the economic viability of fruit production. The present work aimed to test and obtain, under organic greenhouse system, cultivars of tomato with good fruit productivity. Tomato cultivars, hybrids and non-hybrids, were evaluated with indetermined (tutoring and stripping) and determined growth habit (free growth). In the first cultivation, we observed symptoms of nutritional deficiency in fruiting stage of tomato plants, resulting in very low productivity of fruits, with maximum of 1.8 kg/plant for the Serato hybrid. In the second year of cultivation, the additions and increases in fertilizing management increased the fruit productivity in all cultivars - in Serato, to 3.1 kg/plant, and in Predador, to 2.8 kg/plant. The hybrid Candieiro, with determined habit growth, resulted in 2.0 kg/plant of fruits. The use of hybrids with genetic resistance to some important pests and diseases, associated with increases and adequate fertilizing management, were primordial factors to increase fruit productivity in tomato under organic systems in greenhouse.

Effects of Continuous or End-of-Day Far-Red Light on Tomato Plant Growth, Morphology, Light Absorption, and Fruit Production.

Shading by sunlit leaves causes a low red (R) to far-red (FR) ratio that results in a low phytochrome stationary state (PSS). A low PSS induces an array of shade avoidance responses that influence plant architecture and development. It has often been suggested that this architectural response is advantageous for plant growth due to its positive effect on light interception. In contrast to sunlight, artificial light sources such as LEDs often lack FR, resulting in a PSS value higher than solar light (∼0.70). The aim of this study was to investigate how PSS values higher than solar radiation influence the growth and development of tomato plants. Additionally, we investigated whether a short period of FR at the end of the day (EOD-FR) could counteract any potentially negative effects caused by a lack of FR during the day. Tomato plants were grown at four PSS levels (0.70, 0.73, 0.80, and 0.88), or with a 15-min end-of-day far-red (EOD-FR) application (PSS 0.10). Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR; 150 μmol m-2 s-1) was supplied using red and blue (95/5%) LEDs. In an additional experiment, the same treatments were applied to plants receiving supplementary low-intensity solar light. Increasing PSS above solar PSS resulted in increased plant height. Leaf area and plant dry mass were lower in the treatments completely lacking FR than treatments with FR. EOD-FR-treated plants responded almost similarly to plants grown without FR, except for plant height, which was increased. Simulations with a 3D-model for light absorption revealed that the increase in dry mass was mainly related to an increase in light absorption due to a higher total leaf area. Increased petiole angle and internode length had a negative influence on total light absorption. Additionally, the treatments without FR and the EOD-FR showed strongly reduced fruit production due to reduced fruit growth associated with reduced source strength and delayed flowering. We conclude that growing tomato plants under artificial light without FR during the light period causes a range of inverse shade avoidance responses, which result in reduced plant source strength and reduced fruit production, which cannot be compensated by a simple EOD-FR treatment.

Potential utilization of spent Agaricus bisporus mushroom substrate for seedling production and organic fertilizer in tomato cultivation

ABSTRACT The production of Agaricus bisporus results in significant residual material after cultivation. Due to its physical properties and nutrient content Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS) has great potential for use in agriculture. Our study evaluated the feasibility of using SMS as an alternative substrate for the production of Paronset® hybrid tomato seedlings and as an organic fertilizer in its production. To conduct the fruit production experiment, the plots consisted of three types of fertilizers (SMS of A. bisporus, NPK and bovine manure) with four replications. The seedlings produced in the SMS presented higher rates of germination time and speeds, and stood out from the other substrates in the evaluation of seedling quality. In the tomato fruit production phase, the average production of the plants originating from the SMS was 20% higher than the seedlings from the commercial substrate. The plants cultivated with the SMS presented higher production than the plants cultivated with bovine manure incorporated the soil. According to our results, The SMS was as good as the commercial substrates tested. Therefore, the SMS can be recommended for the growth and nutrition of seedling production and denotes potential viability for use in the tomato production cycle in its different phases.

RATES OF APPLICATION OF Azospirillum brasilense IN TOMATO CROP

The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) may be a promising agronomic practice to improve the growth and productivity of vegetables. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense on plant growth and tomato fruit production. Two experiments were carried out: the first one evaluating the growth of the plants in a greenhouse and the second one evaluating the production of fruits under field conditions. The experimental design used in two experiments was the completely randomized 2 x 5 factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments resulted from the combination of two tomato cultivars (Gaúcho Melhorado and San Marzano) and four inoculant doses (0; 2; 4; 6 e 8 mL kg-1 of seed) containing the Ab-V5 and Ab-V6 strains of A. Brasilense. The application of inoculant containing A. brasilense improved the growth and dry matter production of tomato cultivars Gaúcho Melhorado and San Marzano. The highest values of plant height, stem diameter, root length, root volume, relative chlorophyll content and dry matter of shoots and roots are obtained with the dose of 4 to 6 mL kg-1 of inoculant, allowing to infer that the maximization of plant growth and the production of tomato fruits with the application of inoculant containing Azospirillum brasilense can be obtained with the use of approximately 5.0 mL kg-1 of seeds for tomato cultivars.

Root-zone cooling improves fruit production in high sugar content tomato

The high-sugar content tomato is becoming popular because of its sweetness in Japan. However, the production of high-sugar content tomatoes in summer has been unstable especially in number of fruit set. Root-zone cooling is known to have an advantage to increase tomato yield in the summer and the effect of root zone cooling was evaluated in the production of high-sugar content tomato. High-sugar content tomatoes were grown at 2 kinds of plots, 15 and 25°C, in root-zone temperatures (RZT) from December 12, 2015 to February 13, 2016. During the experiment, the average air temperature was 21.8°C. During the daytime (9:00-17:00) the temperature was on average 24.2°C and during the nighttime (17:00-9:00) it was 20.7°C. The number of fruits per cluster was 3.3 in 15°C-RZT and 2.6 in 25°C-RZT. The floret number was larger and the flowering rate (the number of anthesis/floret emerged) was higher in the 25°C-RZT than in the 15°C-RZT. This phenomenon showed the possibility to improve the yield of high-sugar content tomatoes. The present examination was done in winter. It is necessary to perform this kind of examination in summer, over 30°C day temperature.

Production of low-potassium tomato fruit for dialysis patients by NFT or by rockwool culture

Production of low-potassium tomato fruit for dialysis patients by NFT or by rockwool culture

Tomato plants ectopically expressing Arabidopsis GRF9 show enhanced resistance to phosphate deficiency and improved fruit production in the field

Agronomic performance of transgenic tomato overexpressing functional genes has rarely been investigated in the field. In an attempt to improve low-phosphate (P) stress tolerance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants and promote tomato fruit production in the field, an expression vector containing cDNA to an Arabidopsis 14-3-3 protein, General Regulatory Factor 9 (GRF9), driven by a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, was transferred into tomato plants. Transgenic expression of GRF9 was ascertained by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The degree of low-P tolerance in transgenic plants was found to be significantly greater than that in wild-type plants, and reflected in improved root development and enhanced P content under hydroponic conditions. For transgenic tomato, roots had higher P uptake, as evidenced by tissue P content and relative expression of the genes LePT1 and LePT2 in both normal and low-P hydroponic solutions. GRF9 overexpressors had greatly enhanced proton extrusion from roots and heightened activity of the plasma-membrane H+-ATPase (PM H+-ATPase) in roots under low-P hydroponic conditions. Thus, in addition to enhanced root development, higher expression of genes coding for phosphate transporters and improved capacity for acidification in the rhizosphere emerged as key mechanisms underpinning improved P acquisition in transgenic tomato plants in soil. Subsequent field trials measuring tomato fruit production at two P levels, indicated that GRF9 can indeed improve total tomato production and may play a role in early fruit maturity. Our results suggest that the heterologous Arabidopsis GRF9 gene can confer resistance to P deficiency in transgenic tomato plants and promote fruit production.

Salicylic Acid in Nutrient Solution Influence the Fruit Quality and Shelf Life of Cherry Tomato Grown in Hydroponics

Salicylic acid (SA) is a plant hormone that has functional effects in plant. This study was conducted to find out the effects of salicylic acid (SA) on cherry tomato fruit quality and shelf life. Different concentrations (0.13, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 mM) SA were added in nutrient solution of hydroponic system in plants vegetation and fruits development stage. Light-red maturity stage of cherry tomato fruits was harvested to measure the harvest time fruit quality and stored at 5℃ to measure the postharvest quality and shelf life. Ethylene production and respiration rate of tomato fruit at the harvest time and after storage was effectively reduced by the 0.50 mM SA treatment. Increased acetaldehyde (p≤0.05) as well as ethanol (p≤0.001) was performed in the 0.50 mM SA treatment at after storage. The 0.50 mM SA treatment showed the lowest fresh weight loss 3.08% and the longest shelf life 25 days by reducing decay, fruits softening and fungal infection. Significantly lower fungal incidence (p≤0.001) was observed in the 0.50 mM SA treatment. Final storage day color development and lycopene content was lower in the 0.50 mM SA treatment compare with other treatments. The 0.50 mM SA treatment obtained the highest firmness at harvest time and it retain after storage. Comparatively higher vitamin C and lower soluble solids was showed at the harvest time and after storage. Therefore, the 0.50 mM SA treatment is effective in increasing the quality and shelf life of cherry tomato fruit.

Effect of phosphorus (P) doses on tomato seedlings production in poor nutrients substrates and its importance on fruit yield

The effect of P on different plants and several growth stages are well known to scientists, but there is little information on the effect of P after transplanting the seedling until harvesting. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of P on tomato seedling and fruit production of Paronset hybrid. Therefore, six treatments (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75mg L-1P) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) was used as P source, in addition to coconut fiber substrate. A linear increase was obtained for leaf area, seedling height, shoot and root fresh matter at 75mg P L-1. However, yield and fruits characteristics were not affected by increasing P doses on seedlings.

Stem conduction systems effect on the production and quality of mini tomato under organic management

ABSTRACT This research evaluated the influence of stem conduction types on the production and physicochemical characteristics of tomato fruits (hybrid Coco, mini type) under organic management. The experiment was conducted between August 2013 and January 2014. The treatments consisted of 4 different conduction systems: 2 traditional stems; 2 stems emerging from axillary cotyledon buds (“bottom stem”); 3 “traditional” stems and 4 stems emerging from tip pruning. Eleven harvests were conducted from 22nd November 2013 to 31st January 2014. Data collected included fruit number per plant, yields (g∙plant−1), fruit physicochemical characteristics, average weight, fruit diameter, pH, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (SS), SS/TA ratio, reducing sugars, ascorbic acid, lycopene, β-carotene, chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b. Stem conduction types did not affect fruit yields per plant (g∙plant−1). However, the greater number of stems resulted in more fruits per plant, but the fruit produced had a smaller diameter and average weight. The treatments with more stems also showed higher fruit lycopene levels, TA, and reducing sugars. Thus, under similar growing conditions, it may be recommended that organic mini tomatoes be pruned with 3 or 4 stems to increase the number of fruits per plant.

Effect of Organo-mineral Fertilizer on Tomato Fruit Production and Incidence of Blossom-end Rot under Salinity

Effect of Organo-mineral Fertilizer on Tomato Fruit Production and Incidence of Blossom-end Rot under Salinity

Activating glutamate decarboxylase activity by removing the autoinhibitory domain leads to hyper γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulation in tomato fruit.

The C-terminal extension region of SlGAD3 is likely involved in autoinhibition, and removing this domain increases GABA levels in tomato fruits. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a ubiquitous non-protein amino acid with several health-promoting benefits. In many plants including tomato, GABA is synthesized via decarboxylation of glutamate in a reaction catalyzed by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), which generally contains a C-terminal autoinhibitory domain. We previously generated transgenic tomato plants in which tomato GAD3 (SlGAD3) was expressed using the 35S promoter/NOS terminator expression cassette (35S-SlGAD3-NOS), yielding a four- to fivefold increase in GABA levels in red-ripe fruits compared to the control. In this study, to further increase GABA accumulation in tomato fruits, we expressed SlGAD3 with (SlGAD3 OX ) or without (SlGAD3ΔC OX ) a putative autoinhibitory domain in tomato using the fruit ripening-specificE8 promoter and the Arabidopsis heat shock protein 18.2 (HSP) terminator. Although the GABA levels in SlGAD3 OX fruits were equivalent to those in 35S-SlGAD3-NOS fruits, GABA levels in SlGAD3ΔC OX fruits increased by 11- to 18-fold compared to control plants, indicating that removing the autoinhibitory domain increases GABA biosynthesis activity. Furthermore, the increased GABA levels were accompanied by a drastic reduction in glutamate and aspartate levels, indicating that enhanced GABA biosynthesis affects amino acid metabolism in ripe-fruits. Moreover, SlGAD3ΔC OX fruits exhibited an orange-ripe phenotype, which was associated with reduced levels of both carotenoid and mRNA transcripts of ethylene-responsive carotenogenic genes, suggesting that over activation of GAD influences ethylene sensitivity. Our strategy utilizing the E8 promoter and HSP terminator expression cassette, together with SlGAD3 C-terminal deletion, would facilitate the production of tomato fruits with increased GABA levels.

Monitoring infection of tomato fruit by Tomato yellow leaf curl virus

Fruit constitutes a strong sink organ and thus accumulates infecting viruses, but there is limited information about the infection process of viruses in fruit. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV, genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) is one of the most important viruses affecting the production of tomato fruit. Using real‐time quantitative PCR, TYLCV was shown to accumulate with increasing titres in early developing tomato fruit tissues from anthesis until 21 days post‐anthesis. In situ hybridization demonstrated that TYLCV DNA and transcripts of the coat protein gene localized specifically to the phloem tissue of young fruit as well as sepals and petals. Embryos of developing seeds were also found to be infected. Expression of a host histone H4 gene was used as a marker for S‐phase and the gene was also found to be expressed in phloem cells of young tomato fruit. The results indicate that TYLCV is transported to developing tomato fruit, where the virus titre gradually increases because of movement and probably also due to virus replication. In this study, the accumulation and localization of TYLCV in early developing tomato fruit are monitored for the first time.

Far-red LEDs improve fruit production in greenhouse tomato grown under high-pressure sodium lighting

Far-red LEDs improve fruit production in greenhouse tomato grown under high-pressure sodium lighting

Production and Qualitative Aspects of Tomato Fruits under Leaf Fertilizer Applications with Resistance Bioinducers

Production and Qualitative Aspects of Tomato Fruits under Leaf Fertilizer Applications with Resistance Bioinducers