Quality Traits Of Tomato Research Articles

Elucidation of Shoot and Root Growth, Physiological Responses, and Quality Traits of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) Exposed to Elevated Calcium Carbonate Concentrations

The excess presence of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in soil poses challenges for production of horticultural crops, including tomatoes. This condition is prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions of Afghanistan. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of elevated concentrations of CaCO3 on growth, physiology, and quality attributes of tomato. Seedlings were exposed to different concentrations of CaCO3 (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, and 20% w/w) in soil. The results showed that elevated concentrations of CaCO3 (10% and 20%) significantly increased soil electrical conductivity (EC) and pH, and subsequently affected growth, physiology, and quality of tomato. CaCO3 effects resulted in an increase in leaf electrolyte leakage, leaf calcium content, root respiration rate, root ethylene production, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, and organic acids, as well as a decrease in plant height, leaf length, leaf magnesium content, leaf SPAD value, number of leaves per plant, root weight and length, and root activity. At higher concentrations, CaCO3 decreased number of flowers and fruit per plant, as well as fruit weight and diameter, consequently affecting yield production. Although elevated concentrations of CaCO3 is characteristic of soils in Afghanistan, limited information is available about this topic. These findings enhance our understanding of soil conditions in the country and provide valuable insights for farmers.

Yield and Quality Traits of Tomato ‘San Marzano’ Type as Affected by Photo-Selective Low-Density Polyethylene Mulching

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of differently colored low-density polyethylene mulching films (black, silver/brown, and yellow/brown) in comparison with bare soil (BS) on soil temperatures, yield and yield components (number of fruit and average fruit weight), and fruit quality traits (color, firmness, total soluble solids content, polyphenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity) of a ‘San Marzano’ tomato crop grown in Southern Italy over two years (2014 and 2015). The warmer season (2015) shortened the cropping cycle (124 vs. 178 days, 2015 vs. 2014), thereby accelerating fruit ripening and improving firmness and redness (on average, the color parameter a/b was greater than in 2014). It determined the best yield response (53 vs. 44 Mg ha−1) by increasing the number of commercial fruits per unit land area despite the lower average fresh weight (AFW) than the first year. Regardless of the different plastic films, in both years, soil heat storage produced by mulching improved yield as compared to BS and showed a positive and significant effect on the contents of total soluble solids, polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids without affecting the antioxidant activity. The highest values of quality traits were reached in the second year with silver and yellow mulches. Therefore, since the colored mulching films (yellow and silver) had a contradictory effect on yield and quality in the two years, further investigation is desirable.

Foliar application of Ascophyllum nodosum on improvement of photosynthesis, fruit setting percentage, yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

In recent days, liquid formulations of brown seaweed extract, Ascophyllum nodosum used as a biostimulant in agriculture. Various studies suggest that A. nodosum enhanced the growth and yield of agriculturally important crops, but still, there is a lack of information about the biostimulation effects on photosynthesis, flowering and fruit setting of tomato. Hence, the present study aimed to know the effect of foliar application of A. nodosum on photosynthesis, flowering, fruit setting, yield and quality of tomato. A biostimulant product, MC Set with A. nodosum extract applied to tomato as a foliar spray at rates of three different concentrations such as 1.0 L ha−1 (MS 1), 2.0 L ha−1 (MS 2), 3.0 L ha−1 (MS 3) for six times during flowering of 2nd (30 Days after transplanting – DAT), 3rd (40 DAT) and 4th (50 DAT) cluster and fruit setting of 2nd (60 DAT), 3rd (70 DAT) and 4th (80 DAT) cluster respectively. The MC Set treatments enhanced the plant photosynthesis, flower number and fruit number per cluster, yield and quality traits of tomato. However, the middle concentration MS 2 showed highest photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, SPAD value, flower and fruit in 2nd, 3rd and 4th cluster. It also had better average fruit weight and yield per plant and hectare and enhanced the quality parameters such as total soluble solids, ascorbic acid content, lycopene and total sugars compared to control and other two concentrations of MS Set. Hence, using A. nodosum extract on tomato growth could be a better sustainable crop production method.

Fertilizer type and harvest maturity index on nutritive content and proximate composition of tomato fruit

ABSTRACT There may be a link between pre-harvest treatment and the post-harvest quality traits of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) fruit. The experiment was undertaken to determine the relationship between year of production, fertilizer type, and fruit-ripening index on nutritive and biochemical contents of tomato fruits sourced from the Directorate of University Farms, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Data were collected on: proximate content, total soluble solids (TSS), Vitamin C, lycopene, pH and β-carotene. Fruits harvested at full ripe stage had the highest ash, moisture content, crude fiber, crude protein, fat, ß-carotene, TSS and Vitamin C contents. Year of production did not affect proximate content except for crude fiber. Fertilizer type did not affect proximate content except for ash content. Harvest maturity stage influenced proximate, nutritive, and biochemical content of tomato fruit. Fertilizer type used for cultivation and the stage of maturity at harvest are important factors determining tomato fruit nutritive contents and proximate composition. Knowledge of the right stage of maturity at harvest will affect supply of good quality tomato for the fresh market and food processing.

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Evaluation of water deficiency impacts on antioxidant enzymes activity and lipid peroxidation in some tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Lines

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of drought stress on some quality traits of tomato, seven tomato lines were assessed in an experimental field at Ilam University in 2016. The layout was split plots according to randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 levels of drought stress including 100, 60% and 40% of field capacity with 3 replications. The genotypes were including King stone, Peto early, Bitstoik, LA1607, LA2656, LA2080 and LA1579. The effect of mild and severe drought stress on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase were investigated. The statistical analysis showed that drought stress significantly affected all assessed traits under drought condition. CAT, chlorophyll content and RWC were reduced, but, APX, POX, Proline and MAD content as well as electrolyte leakage increased and the highest content was observed under severe drought stress (40%FC). The genotypes LA1607, LA2656, LA2080 and LA1579 identified as the most tolerant and King Stone, Peto early and Bitstoik were the most susceptible genotypes. Under severe drought stress, the highest RWC in LA2080, POX in LA1579, APX in LA1607, Chlorophyll a in LA2080, Chlorophyll b in Peto early, Chlorophyll T in Bitstoik and LA2080, EL in LA2080, MDA in Bitstoik and prolin in Petoearly were observed.

Study on the efficiency of ethylene scavengers on the maintenance of postharvest quality of tomato fruit

The objectives of this study were to achieve the best level of each ethylene scavenger and evaluate the effect of selected levels of treatments on some quality traits of tomato during storage. Tomato fruits were subjected to four levels of treatments: palladium-promoted nano zeolite, KMnO4-promoted nano zeolite, 1-MCP, CaCl2, salicylic acid (SA) and UV-C. The sampling was done at 0, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th and 35th days of cold storage. The results showed that palladium-promoted nano zeolite 5%, KMnO4-promoted nano zeolite 20%, 1-MCP 30 ppm, CaCl2 2%, SA 1% and UV-C 15 min levels had the most ethylene scavenging function. Effectiveness of the treatments in ethylene scavenging was in the order: palladium > KMnO4 > 1-MCP > SA = CaCl2 > UV-C. The palladium-promoted nano zeolite 5% had more positive effects on phenol content, polygalacturonase activity, lycopene content, fruit firmness and weight loss, and UV-C 15 min had effect on decay severity as compared to the other treatments. Overall, palladium-promoted nano zeolite 5% could be considered not only as favorable tool in tomato shelf life extension but also in preservation of quality characteristics of tomato fruits during storage. Moreover, the UV-C 15 min treatment could be an effective method for reducing decay severity and maintaining postharvest quality of tomato fruits.

Evaluation of Organic Matter, Bio-inoculants and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield Attributes of Tomato with Respect to the Management of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of inoculations of biological nitrogen fixers using Azotobacter and Azospirillum individually and concomitantly with different recommended doses of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers and organic matter in the form of sesame (Sesame indicum) cake on the growth, yield and quality traits of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) in relation to the management of plant-parasitic nematodes. The multiplication rate, egg masses, and root-galls per plant of these nematodes were reduced significantly by the individual inoculation of biological nitrogen fixers as well as with organic matter; while concomitant inoculation of bio-inoculants showed a synergistic effect in increasing crop growth and yield. Azospirillum was found to be more effective than Azotobacter. The highest improvement was recorded in the yield and growth parameters, plant height, fresh and dry weights, percent pollen fertility, green fruits yield per plant, chlorophyll content and ascorbic acid content when these biological nitrogen fixers were added concomitantly in various combinations. The Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (NPK) contents in plants and in soil increased considerably in almost all the combinations whenever these bio-fertilizers were inoculated and thus, reduce the fertilizers needed for commercial tomato production. The best results were obtained with 100% recommended dose of nitrogenous fertilizers along with the bio-fertilizers and farm yard manure.

MARKER-ASSISTED SELECTION FOR THE TRANSFER OF QTLS CONTROLLING FRUIT QUALITY TRAITS INTO TOMATO ELITE LINES

Marker assisted selection (MAS) should increase the efficiency of plant breeding both for the introgression of major genes and for the simultaneous transfer of favorable alleles of many QTLs. After a review of the various MAS strategies, a MAS scheme for the improvement of tomato fruit quality is presented. Improving organoleptic quality of fresh market tomato fruit has become an important objective for tomato breeders. Several QTLs controlling the variation of tomato quality traits have been detected using a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between a cherry tomato chosen for its good flavor and a line with bigger fruits but poor taste. A MAS scheme was then set in order to transfer the five most important QTLs involved in fruit quality into three recurrent lines. The backcross optimisation (population size, number and position of markers) is presented, taking into account both theoretical and practical aspects.