Tomato Fruit Yield Research Articles

Characterization of high-temperature stress-tolerant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes by biochemical analysis and expression profiling of heat-responsive genes.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-020-02587-6.

Reduced Phosphate Availability Improves Tomato Quality Through Hormonal Modulation in Developing Fruits

Nutrient management is one of the most important agricultural practices to ensure yield and fruit quality. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of N and P availability in the yield and quality of tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum var. Meyity), and the hormonal mechanisms underlying these effects. Fruit yield and quality (in terms of sugar accumulation and titratable acidity) at harvest, together with the hormonal profiling of developing fruits were evaluated. While low N caused a reduction of sugars, reduced P availability increased sugars and reduced acidity in fruits. These changes were not accompanied by significant reductions in yield. Enhanced trans-zeatin content at early stages of fruit development and during color break might be associated with an increased sink activity. Furthermore, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (the ethylene precursor) concentrations increased at early stages of fruit development, thus suggesting a complex hormonal crosstalk induced by low P availability. In conclusion, a reduction of P availability increased tomato sugar contents, while yield was not negatively impacted. These results have implications to alleviate the depletion of natural P reserves to arrive at a more sustainable horticulture.

A review on Partial root-zone drying (PRD): A modern irrigation technique

Field experiments were conducted for 3 years from 2000 to 2002 to assess proportional crop yield differences obtained under conventional deficit irrigation (CDI) and partial root-zone irrigation (PRI) practices, compared with full irrigation (FULL) where plant water requirements were fully met. The experimental crops included vegetables (tomato and pepper), field crops (maize and cotton) and citrus. The fruit yield of greenhouse-grown tomato with FULL irrigation was higher than with PRI (7–22% lower) but was not significantly different. The PRD irrigation is a novel improvement of deficit irrigation in which half of the root zone is irrigated alternatively in scheduled irrigation events. In the last decade, scientists across the world, especially from arid to semi-arid countries, have extensively evaluated this irrigation as a water-saving irrigation strategy on agronomic and horticultural plants. This review paper focuses on the physiological and morphological aspects of PRD on plants and its ultimate impact on yield and water productivity. Overall, under limited water resources where water is precious, PRD is a viable irrigation option to increase water productivity while margining the yield, rather than only increasing the economic yield without concerning the value of water in limited water environments.

Interaction of Wood Vinegar and Biochar Feedstock on the Yield and Sugar Content of Tomato Fruit

Interaction of Wood Vinegar and Biochar Feedstock on the Yield and Sugar Content of Tomato Fruit

Урожайность и качество плодов томата при использовании некорневой подкормки

Урожайность и качество плодов томата при использовании некорневой подкормки

Odgovor industrijske rajčice na primjenu arbuskularnih mikoriznih gljiva u uvjetima konvencionalne proizvodnje

The potential effect of pre-inoculation of processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on yield and fruit properties was investigated in conventional production. Tomato seeds were sown in seedling trays filled with a substrate non-inoculated (AMF-) or inoculated (AMF+) by selected mycorrhizal strains. Seedlings were transplanted in Terra rossa soil and grown in conditions with mineral fertilization and irrigation. Tomato fruits were sampled at harvest. Tomato plants under both treatments had high levels of mycorrhizal colonization, due to applied inoculum (AMF+) or indigenous (AMF-) inoculum present in the soil. Applied AMF+ treatment increased P and decreased K content in tomato fruits. Content of trace elements such as As and V significantly increased, while Pb content significantly decreased in the fruits of AMF+ when compared to the AMF- treatment. No significant effect of AMF+ treatment was observed on yield, fruit quality (soluble solids, pH, total acidity, fruit firmness), lycopene and antioxidant activity of tomato fruits. The overall results suggest that processing tomato is highly susceptible to the indigenous AMF, while seedlings inoculation with selected AMF improves only total phenolic and P fruit content. This means that AMF have a potential application in commercial processing tomato production, however a targeted adaptation of management decissions is required for more extensive results.

Statistical analysis of machine learning techniques for predicting powdery mildew disease in tomato plants

Powdery mildew is a dangerous disease that reduces the quality and the yield of tomato fruit rapidly. Its early prediction is a prior requirement for obtaining good quality fruit. Therefore, in this study, the best classifier amongst various classifiers has been discovered using different machine learning algorithms. This classifier can precisely classify whether the meteorological conditions of a particular day are conducive to the development of powdery mildew disease or not. Tomato powdery mildew disease dataset has been tested using various performance measures and the results computed for all the classifiers are promising. Friedman test has been used to rank multiple classifiers and post hoc analysis has also been done using the Nemenyi test. It has been observed in comparison that 62.05% of the total pairs of classifiers perform significantly different from each other, and medium Gaussian support vector machine (MGSVM) is the best classifier with 94.74% accuracy.

Evaluating Agronomic and Essential Oil of African Marigold (<i>Tagetes erecta </i>L.) Varieties Intercropping with Tomato by Its Population Density at Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia

Intercropping of African marigolds between tomatoes protects the tomato plants from harmful root-knot nematodes in the soil and increase the marketable fruit yield of tomato by trapping different insects and pest attack and the like. Field experiment was conducted to assess effect of plant densities of intercropped African Marigold Varieties on yield related traits and yield of the associated crops and to evaluate the productivity and economic value of tomato and African marigold intercropping system, in southern parts of Ethiopia, at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center in 2017/18 cropping season. Three varieties of African marigold (AVT 001, AVT 540 and AVT 7063) at three population densities (PD) (25%, 50%, and 75%) were intercropped with tomato variety ‘Melk shola’. The three varieties of African marigold (AFM) and tomato were included as a sole for comparison. Randomized complete block design in factorial with three replications was used. The varieties of AFM significantly affected plant (PH), essential oil content (EOC) and essential oil yield (EOY). The tallest plant (55.36 cm) of AFM was due to AVT 001 than other varieties. Variety AVT 540 gave the highest EOC (0.21) and EOY (7.55 kg ha^-1) than other two varieties. Sole planted African marigold produced significantly higher (55.73) number of fresh flowers per plant than the intercropped (50.04). Cropping system was significantly affected number of branch (NBPP) and number of fresh flowers per plant (NFFPP). The highest NBPP (24.91) and NFFPP (55.73) were obtained from sole planting of AFM. The highest NBPP (23.15) and NFFPP (50.07) were recorded from 50% PD. of AFM. The highest fresh flower yield (45,860 kg ha^-1), dry flower weight per hectare (5,360 kg ha^-1), EOC (0.17) and EOY (9.36 kg ha^-1) were due to 75% PD. The highest (0.84) partial land equivalent ratio (LER) of tomato and total LER (1.43) were due to 50% PD. The highest value of monetary advantage index (37,225 ETB ha^-1) was due to 50% PD. Therefore, any of the three African marigold varieties at 50% PD could be recommended for intercropping with tomato.

Influence of different mulches and irrigation levels on water use efficiency, weed biomass and productivity of drip irrigated tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.)

The field experiment was conducted at the research farm of AICRP on Irrigation Water Management, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani to study the influence of different mulches and irrigation levels on water use efficiency, weed biomass and productivity of drip irrigated tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) during rabi season of 2016-17 and 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design replicated thrice with twelve treatments combination comprising of three irrigation regimes viz. irrigation level at 0.6 PE (I1), irrigation level at 0.8 PE (I2) and irrigation level at 1.0 PE (I3) in main plot and four polythene mulch treatments viz. black polythene mulch (M1), silver black polythene mulch (M2), transparent polythene mulch (M3) and control (M4) in sub plot. The results revealed that the application of drip irrigation at 0.6 PE and silver black polythene mulch recorded higher water use efficiency due to lower consumption of irrigation water. Use of silver black polythene mulch or black polythene mulch with drip irrigation at 0.6 PE inhibited weed growth throughout growing period of tomato. The treatment combination of drip irrigation level at 0.8 PE with silver black polythene mulch (I2M2) recorded higher yield attributes along with higher fruit yield of tomato over rest of the treatment combination, however it was comparable with treatment combination of irrigation level at 0.8 PE with black polythene mulch (I2M1) and irrigation level at 0.6 PE with silver black polythene mulch (I1M2).

Azospirillum brasilense and Solarized Manure on the Production and Phytochemical Quality of Tomato Fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Tomato is a vegetable crop with probiotic interest. Currently subject to a global biosecurity emergency due to the epidemic caused by COVID-19, humanity is seeking to maintain its health and become stronger by eating vegetables that have probiotic properties. Considering the request of tomato farmers in the Comarca Lagunera (CL) region, the objective of this work consisted of determining the impact of bioinoculation with Azospirillum brasilense (Ab) and solarized manure (M) on the yield and phytochemical quality of tomato fruits produced in shade mesh. Seeds of the saladette variety TOP 2299 were inoculated with Ab at 1 × 108 CFU.mL. Before 46 days after being sowed, seedlings were transplanted in soil enriched with manure solarized at a rate of 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 t ha−1; a chemical fertilization (CHF) treatment was also adopted (366-95-635). Emergence, growth, root length, bromatological studies (protein and lipids in plant), yield and organoleptic (Vit C, phenols, flavonoids and lycopene) variables were considered. The results show that biofertilization based on Ab + M40 can be an alternative to produce tomato in shade-house conditions in the CL compared with non-inoculated and CHF treatments.

Impact of metal-oxide nanoparticles on growth, physiology and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) modulated by Azotobacter salinestris strain ASM.

The current study for the first time demonstrates the interference of a free-living, N2-fixing, and nanoparticle (NP) tolerant Azotobacter salinestris strain ASM recovered from metal-polluted soil with tomato plant-metal oxide NPs (ZnO, CuO, Al2O3, and TiO2) interactions in a sandy clay loam soil system with bulk materials as control. Tomato plants were grown till full maturity in soils amended with 20-2000mgkg-1 of each metal-oxide NP with and without seed biopriming and root-inoculation of A.salinestris. A.salinestris was found metabolically active, producing considerably high amounts of bioactive indole-3-acetic-acid, morphologically unaffected, and with low alteration of cell membrane permeability under 125-1500 μgml-1 of NPs. However, ZnO-NPs slightly alter bacterial membrane permeability. Besides, A.salinestris secreted significantly higher amounts of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) even under NP exposure, which could entrap the NPs and form metal-EPS complex as revealed and quantified by SEM-EDX. NPs were also found adsorbed on bacterial biomass. EPS stabilized the NPs and provided negative zeta potential to NPs. Following soil application, A.salinestris improved the plant performance and augmented the yield of tomato fruits and lycopene content even in NPs stressed soils. Interestingly, A.salinestris inoculation enhanced photosynthetic pigment formation, flower attributes, plant and fruit biomass, and reduced proline level. Bacterial inoculation also reduced the NP's uptake and accumulation significantly in vegetative organs and fruits. The organ wise order of NP's internalization was roots>shoots>fruits. Conclusively, A.salinestris inoculation could be an alternative to increase the production of tomato in metal-oxide NPs contaminated soils.

Application of biodegradable plastic mulch improves manure N availability and tomato yield in an organic cropping system

Low crop yield in organic farming restricts its popularization, and N deficiency is one of important reasons for the yield decline in organic farming. In this study, the biodegradable plastic mulch (BDP) was introduced into organic farming and its effects on soil N mineralization and crop yield were investigated. Over the two experimental years, application of manure + BDP improved the average soil moisture by 1.3% and 1.1%, and average soil temperature by 1.8 °C and 0.8 °C, and led to 27% and 26% higher cumulative mineralized N. Additionally, tomato fruit yield was improved by 18% and 18%, NUE increased by 104% and 77%, and N recovery rate greater by 60% and 48% in 2 years, respectively. Improvement of cumulative mineralized N was significantly correlated with soil temperature, while has no significant relationship with soil moisture. However, the tomato yield was obviously correlated with soil moisture, soil temperature, and N mineralization. This study suggested that the application of Manure + BDP improves the tomato yield due to its improvement on soil temperature, soil moisture, and accumulated mineralized N in organic tomato farming and implies that Manure + BDP can be considered as an option to improve the tomato yield in organic farming systems.

Foliar Aspersion of Salicylic Acid Improves Nutraceutical Quality and Fruit Yield in Tomato

The use of elicitors or biostimulants such as salicylic acid (SA) is an emerging novel practice to improve the yield and quality of crops since it plays an important role in the regulation of various physiological and metabolic processes. The objective of this research was to study the effect of the foliar application of SA on the nutraceutical quality and yield of tomato fruits. A completely randomized experimental design with 10 repetitions was used. SA was applied at five doses (0.025 mM, 0.05 mM, 0.075 mM, 0.1 mM, and 0.125 mM) every 15 days through foliar sprays after transplantation, accumulating seven applications through the cycle. The response variables were yield (total fruit weight per plant), fruit parameters (weight, diameter, firmness, and total soluble solids), percentage of weight loss, and nutraceutical quality. The obtained results suggest that the foliar spraying of SA improves the yield and biosynthesis of phytochemical compounds in tomato fruits, compared to control plants. According to the results, it is advisable to use the dose of 0.125 mM of SA since it has a higher content of bioactive compounds without compromising yield.

Modification of Tomato Planting Media to Improve the Quality of Farming Urban Vegetables

The Women's Farmer Group, the PKK RT 03, RW 08 Rewwin, Waru, Sidoarjo group has carried out urban farming during the Covid 19 pandemic, but only some residents understand urban farming. The objectives of the activity are: 1) to increase the knowledge and skills of residents in farming turbans, (2) modification of media and irrigation arrangements, 3). Diversification of plant species cultivated to meet the needs of urban communities. Modification of planting media from various material sources as alternative planting. The method of implementation is through socialization and assistance in planting practices to harvest various kinds of vegetables and plant arrangements. The results of the activity show that the residents have been educated and the lifestyle in the agricultural turban has changed. Planting media from a mixture of soil and non-soil (compost, husk, cocopit, manure). The composition of the media mix that will support planting. The composition of the media for young and mature plants is different. The provision of water through drip irrigation is designed 2 times per day, namely in the morning and evening so that it is maintained and efficient. NPK fertilizer is given as basic fertilizer and a follow-up of 20 g / plant is given 4 times. The results of the demonstration plot for growing tomatoes at a pot capacity of 5 kg showed that the mixture of soil media + compost + husk + manure gave the highest and best yield of tomato fruit compared to the media mixture that was not as complete as the material.

Evaluation of technological gap and performance of low yield of tomato due to fruit borer

The experiment was carried out to evaluation of technological gap and performance of integrated pest management (IPM) come upto as a resistant variety, tap crop as marigold line, bio pesticides as Ha NPV, chemical spray as sucking pest Dimethoate at before flowering time and borer managemant as Acephate fruiting time of tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera pest under field condition. This experiment was conducted on farmer trials (OFT) at different villages likewise Hemawas, Sandeyo Ki Dhani and Baldo Ki Dhani in Pali district (Rajasthan) during period of three year (2015 to 2017). During this experiment pest infestation of fruit borer was observed to be lowest (Pest infestation 12.0%) when, resistant variety Heemsohna, tap crop use African marigold, tomato line ratio 2:14, Ha NPV 250 LE @ 0.4 ml/lit of water at 30 DAP and 45 DAP Dimethoate 0.5 ml/ lit at before flowering time and Acephate 0.5 g/lit at 45 fruiting time. Maximum infestation pest damage (44.00%) was observed when traditional farmers practice (FP). The adoption of recommended improved tomato production technology and plant protection measures was poor. The main objective of the OFT was to conduct extent of technological gap between recommended and actually adopted tomato technologies by the tomato growers from Pali district. It is suggest organising result OFT and field visits for minimizing technological gap by agriculture department. The OFT was effective in changing attitude, skill and knowledge of IPM approach and tomato fruit yield increased upto 57.52 per cent more over the traditional FP. Results indicates that IPM approach increased net income by Rs. 1,74,781/-ha over FP.

Multi-gene metabolic engineering of tomato plants results in increased fruit yield up to 23%

The capacity to assimilate carbon and nitrogen, to transport the resultant sugars and amino acids to sink tissues, and to convert the incoming sugars and amino acids into storage compounds in the sink tissues, are key determinants of crop yield. Given that all of these processes have the potential to co-limit growth, multiple genetic interventions in source and sink tissues, plus transport processes may be necessary to reach the full yield potential of a crop. We used biolistic combinatorial co-transformation (up to 20 transgenes) for increasing C and N flows with the purpose of increasing tomato fruit yield. We observed an increased fruit yield of up to 23%. To better explore the reconfiguration of metabolic networks in these transformants, we generated a dataset encompassing physiological parameters, gene expression and metabolite profiling on plants grown under glasshouse or polytunnel conditions. A Sparse Partial Least Squares regression model was able to explain the combination of genes that contributed to increased fruit yield. This combinatorial study of multiple transgenes targeting primary metabolism thus offers opportunities to probe the genetic basis of metabolic and phenotypic variation, providing insight into the difficulties in choosing the correct combination of targets for engineering increased fruit yield.

Effect of Microsprinkler Irrigation under Plastic Film on Photosynthesis and Fruit Yield of Greenhouse Tomato

The aim of this study is to exam the effect of microsprinkler irrigation technology under plastic film (MSPF) and to evaluate the reasonable micropore group spacing and capillary arrangement density in the greenhouse. Compared with drip irrigation under plastic film (DIPF) and microsprinkling irrigation (MSI) conditions, the effects of different micropore group spacing (L1: 30 cm micropore group spacing, L2: 50 cm micropore group spacing) and capillary arrangement density (C1: one pipe for one row, C2: one pipe for two rows, and C3: one pipe for three rows) with the MSPF on photosynthetic characteristics and fruit yield of tomatoes were studied using completely randomized trial design. The results showed that under the same irrigation amount, compared with DIPF and MSI, the photosynthetic rate of tomatoes treated with L1C2 increased by 8.24% and 13.55%, respectively. The total dry matter accumulation, yield, and water use efficiency at condition of L1C2 increased by 12.16%, 19.39%, and 10.03% compared with DIPF and 26.38%, 20.46%, and 31.02% compared with MSI, respectively. The results provide evidence that the MSPF can be applied to greenhouse tomatoes. The photosynthetic rate, total dry matter accumulation, yield, and water use efficiency of tomato leaves cultivated at a micropore group spacing of 30 cm were 1.07, 1.13, 1.14, and 1.13 times higher than those of 50 cm, respectively. With the decrease in capillary arrangement density, the photosynthetic characteristics of the tomato leaves, the total dry matter accumulation, and yield of tomatoes all experienced a decline. It is recommended to use a combination of one pipe for two rows of capillaries at a 30 cm micropore group spacing as the technical parameter of greenhouse tomato with MSPF in arid and semiarid sandy loam soils.

Performance of Aquaculture Effluent for Tomato Production in Outdoor Raised Beds

Raised bed production trials were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of effluent from a biofloc-style recirculating aquaculture system producing nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as nutrient-rich irrigation water for fall ‘Celebrity’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production. The objective of this study was to provide baseline vegetable production data and justification for using aquaculture effluent as a water and nutrient resource. The experiment was a split-plot, randomized block design with three treatments: aquaculture effluent, granular fertilizer, and fertigation. Tomato seeds were sown in June, transplanted in August, and grown until Oct. 2019 in nine replicated raised beds. Conventional field tomato production practices were followed throughout the trial, and data were collected for tomato fruit yield, market quality, size, leaf greenness (SPAD), and foliar nutrient analysis. Fruit yield was similar between fertigated and aquaculture effluent treatments, with granular fertilizer resulting in yield that was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.033). SPAD measurements were similar among treatments. All nutrients met or exceeded sufficiency ranges. Foliar nutrient analysis revealed no significant difference for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, boron, zinc, manganese, and iron among treatments. Sulfur and copper levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) with aquaculture effluent treatment as compared with the granular and fertigated treatments. Overall, tomato production using aquaculture effluent as a water and nutrient supplement produced similar yields to commercial practices, making it potentially viable for producers.

Responses of growth, fruit yield, quality and water productivity of greenhouse tomato to deficit drip irrigation

Agriculture is the largest consumer of scarce water resources and irrigation serves as the sole source of water for greenhouse tomato production. It is an urgent task to seek an appropriate deficit irrigation strategy that is beneficial for high marketable yield, fruit quality, saving irrigation water and ultimately improving water use efficiency. A four-season experiment was conducted on drip-irrigated greenhouse tomato during Autumn 2015-Spring 2017 with three irrigation regimes, i.e., 100 %ETc (crop evapotranspiration) (W1), 75 %ETc (W2) and 50 %ETc (W3). The results showed that aboveground biomass, leaf area index (LAI), plant height and fruit yield increased with increasing irrigation amount. However, soluble solids, vitamin C and soluble sugar of tomato fruits were lowest under W1. W2 markedly reduced unmarketable fruits and more small-sized fruits were harvested at the late stage under W1. Through fitting the relationship between cumulative temperature and aboveground biomass using logistic equations, it was found that average duration of the rapid growth period (td) and the time when growth rate reached the maximum value (tm) increased as irrigation amount decreased. Conversely, the maximum growth rate during the rapid growth period (vm) decreased with the increase of water deficit. The highest total water consumption (278.05 mm), lowest total yield water use efficiency (25.12 kg m−3) and marketable yield water use efficiency (22.87 kg m−3) were obtained under W1. The smallest total water consumption (27.01–50.75 mm) occurred at the blooming and setting stage. Based on the results of path analysis, aboveground biomass and average fruit weight were important indexes affecting yield positively. It is concluded that deficit drip irrigation with 75 %ETc has the potential of supporting tomato growth, improving marketable yield and WUE as a result of less unmarketable yield and bigger fruit size.

Soil environment and spectra properties coregulate tomato growth, fruit quality, and yield in different colored biodegradable paper mulching during the summer season

Plastic film (PF) is the primary material applied for soil mulching, but it may also cause heat and drought stresses to crops in the summer season. In a previous study, we revealed that biodegradable paper (BP) was a potential mulching material for summer crop production, because it could not only decrease soil temperature, but also increase soil moisture during the summer season. However, it is still unclear whether different colored BPs have various efficiencies in improving soil environment, when used as soil mulching materials. Therefore, in this study, gray PF and different colors (red, dark, blue and yellow) of BPs were used as soil mulching materials to explore their influences on soil temperature and moisture, spectral and photosynthetic characteristics, plant growth, and fruit quality and yield of tomato in the summer season. The non-mulching (NM) served as control. In general, PF exhibited the highest illuminance and photosynthetic irradiance, and thereby led to the highest soil temperature. However, soil temperature decreased on average of 5.73% and 20.28% in BPs as compared to NM and PF, respectively. Soil moisture increased on average of 8.15%, 5.41%, and 10.98% in dark, red, and blue BPs, respectively, as compared to NM. The ratio of blue-violet to red-orange irradiance were 1:2, 2:3, 1:4, 1:3, and 1:1 in NM, PF, yellow BP, red BP, and blue BP, respectively. The red and blue BPs generally enhanced root growth, and thereby increased total fruit yield by 36.56% and 41.64% on average, respectively, as compared to PF. In addition, an overall improvement in fruit quality (vitamin C, soluble sugar, and sugar-acid ratio) was observed in red and blue BPs as compared to PF and other colored BPs. Our results demonstrated that red and blue BPs can be applied to improve soil environment and spectral characteristics, and thereby enhance fruit yield and quality, during the summer crop production.