Tomato Yield Research Articles

Effects of Nopal and Goat Manure on Soil Fertility and the Growth, Yield and Physical Characteristics of Tomato and Carrot Plants

Nopal (Opuntia) is a resource that is discarded after pruning complete cladodes. For this reason, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the combined use of organic matter (nopal) and goat manure on changes in soil characteristics and on the growth and yield performance of carrot and tomato plants. Physicochemical analysis of the soil and goat manure was carried out, and germination tests and physical characterization of the plants and the products obtained were performed on tomato and carrot plants after adding the components of the cladodes alone and the cladodes with goat manure. The results showed that the application of the nopal cladode components increased the cation exchange capacity of the soil. The highest germination rate was obtained by the application of liquid nopal, with a 1.7-fold increase in the germination rate of carrot seeds, while that for tomato seeds was only 14%. Similar results were obtained for the germination percentage. An increase in resistance to water stress of approximately 15 days was observed in both tomato and carrot plants. Plant development and production were achieved in tomato, with a 100% increase in carrot plant length and a threefold increase in production. The addition of nopal to the soil improved the soil characteristics and the production yield of carrots and tomatoes.

Prospects of indigenous fungi as novel biological control agents of thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, 1895) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in vivo

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important horticultural crop in Kenya. Its production is constrained by many factors, among them arthropod pests and diseases. In response, farmers rely on synthetic pesticides, which lead to contamination of the produce, pest resistance and pollution of the environment hence there is need to identify safer, affordable alternatives. Biological control is considered safe, self-sustaining and cost effective. This study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of indigenous fungi in managing Western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis on tomato. Efficacy trials were conducted in farmer’s fields in Bungoma County, Kenya between March and November 2018. Treatments included fungal isolates Trichoderma harzianum, Gliocladium virens, Verticillium spp., Paeciliomyces victoriae and Fusarium oxysporum selected after in vitro screening. These were compared to commercial fungus Beauveria basssiana, a synthetic pesticide imidacloprid and untreated control. Treatments were replicated four times, arranged in a randomized complete block design. Data collected on population of thrips and the yield of tomatoes were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Means were separated using Student Newman-Keuls (SNK) test at p≤0.05. In the first season at Bukonoi, F. oxysporum significantly (p<0.05) recorded the least (38.1) mean number of thrips compared to the untreated control (89.2). At Cheptais, F. oxysporum and T. harzianum treated plots significantly (p<0.05) recorded the least mean number of thrips of 48.1 and 20.5 in the first and second season, respectively. Higher yields of 4.9 t ha-1 and 29.5 t ha-1 were obtained from plots treated with T. harzianum in the first and second season, respectively. The findings of this study demonstrated that F. oxysporum and T. harzianum have the potential to be developed as fungal biopesticides for management of thrips on tomato crop. However, large scale field trials are warranted to validate the effectiveness of these fungal isolates. Key words: Biopesticides, Frankliniella occidentalis, Fusarium oxysporum, Solanum lycopersicum, Trichoderma harzianum.

Grafting onto Tomato Rootstocks Improves Outcomes for Dry-farmed Tomato

Vegetable grafting can mitigate the negative effects of drought on crop production. Dry farming, which is the production of crops without irrigation during a dry growing season, can result in lower yields, smaller fruit, and a higher incidence of blossom-end rot (BER), which is a physiological disorder associated with drought stress. To determine the effects of grafting on yield and fruit quality of dry-farmed tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), three years of trials were conducted using different scion–rootstock combinations and ungrafted controls. In 2020, grafting onto rootstocks ‘DRO141TX’ and ‘Fortamino’ resulted in greater total yield and average fruit weight and a lower BER incidence for dry-farmed tomato than grafting onto the rootstock ‘Shincheonggang’ or using ungrafted plants. In 2021, grafting onto the rootstock ‘DRO141TX’ again increased yields and average fruit weight and decreased BER incidence when compared with ungrafted plants (‘Fortamino’ was not tested). Interactions were detected between different scion–rootstock combinations in terms of the degree of reduction of necrotic BER (BER resulting in a large, sunken, grey or black spot, making the fruit unmarketable) when grafted onto ‘DRO141TX’, with the scion ‘Azoychka’ having a 69% reduction in necrotic BER and the scion ‘Astrakhanskie’ having a 93% reduction in necrotic BER. In 2022, an interaction was detected between the rootstocks and scions in terms of their effect on large fruit (>0.33 lb) yield, with ‘BHN 871’ grafted onto ‘Fortamino’ producing the highest yields of large fruit and ‘Big Beef’ grafted onto ‘Fortamino’ producing the lowest yields. Overall, grafting onto the rootstocks ‘DRO141TX’ or ‘Fortamino’ improved diverse dry-farmed tomato outcomes in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, USA.

Efficacy of Commercial Biocontrol Products for the Management of Verticillium and Fusarium Wilt in Greenhouse Tomatoes: Impact on Disease Severity, Fruit Yield, and Quality

Verticillium dahliae (Vd) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) are two major fungal pathogens that infect tomato plants, causing significant challenges in their control since both pathogens can persist in the soil for several years even in the absence of a host plant and no effective fungicides are available at present. This study investigated the efficacy of two biocontrol formulations, Clonotri (containing Trichoderma and Clonostachys microorganisms) and Strepse (comprising Streptomyces and Pseudomonas microorganisms), against Vd and Fol and their impact on tomato fruit quality and yield under greenhouse conditions. The pathogenicity experiment demonstrated that the Clonotri formulation, containing Trichoderma and Clonostachys spores, significantly reduced Fusarium wilt disease by 32% compared to the control group. However, in the Vd pathogenicity experiment, the formulations did not exhibit disease reduction, although treatment with Strepse, containing Streptomyces and Pseudomonas microorganisms, resulted in a preserved total fruit number when compared to uninfected plants. Analysis of fruit quality attributes revealed no significant differences among the various interventions. Furthermore, Fol infection in the first fruit set significantly increased fruit firmness, while Vd infection resulted in elevated levels of total soluble solids in fruits. These findings demonstrate that the evaluated biocontrol formulations provide a degree of protection against fungal wilt pathogens in tomato plants and can increase yield in greenhouse conditions while having minimal impact on overall fruit quality attributes.

The Effects of Different Durations of Night-Time Supplementary Lighting on the Growth, Yield, Quality and Economic Returns of Tomato.

To achieve higher economic returns, we employ inexpensive valley electricity for night-time supplementary lighting (NSL) of tomato plants, investigating the effects of various durations of NSL on the growth, yield, and quality of tomato. Tomato plants were treated with supplementary light for a period of 0 h, 3 h, 4 h, and 5 h during the autumn-winter season. The findings revealed superior growth and yield of tomato plants exposed to 3 h, 4 h, and 5 h of NSL compared to their untreated counterparts. Notably, providing lighting for 3 h demonstrated greater yields per plant and per trough than 5 h exposure. To investigate if a reduced duration of NSL would display similar effects on the growth and yield of tomato plants, tomato plants received supplementary light for 0 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h at night during the early spring season. Compared to the control group, the stem diameter, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, and yield of tomatoes significantly increased upon supplementation with lighting. Furthermore, the input-output ratios of 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h NSL were calculated as 1:10.11, 1:4.38, and 1:3.92, respectively. Nonetheless, there was no detectable difference in yield between the 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h NSL groups. These findings imply that supplemental LED lighting at night affects tomato growth in the form of light signals. Night-time supplemental lighting duration of 1 h is beneficial to plant growth and yield, and its input-output ratio is the lowest, which is an appropriate NSL mode for tomato cultivation.

Urea-rich sodium alginate-based hydrogel fertilizer as a water reservoir and slow-release N carrier for tomato cultivation under different water-deficit levels

In this study, a new eco-friendly urea-rich sodium alginate-based hydrogel with a slow-release nitrogen property was prepared, and its effectiveness was evaluated in the cultivation of tomato plants under different water stress levels. The structure and performance of the hydrogel were investigated by FTIR, XRD, TGA, DTG, and SEM. The swelling and release experiments showed that prepared urea-rich hydrogel exhibited a high-water holding capacity (412 ± 4 g/g) and showed a sustained and slow nitrogen release property. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using two hydrogel levels (0.1 and 0.5 wt%) under two water deficit levels (30 and 70 % based on required water irrigation). Germination tests indicated that the developed hydrogel fertilizer has no phytotoxicity and has a positive impact on the germination rate even under water deficit conditions. The application of hydrogel fertilizer at 0.5 wt% significantly (p > 0.05) enhanced plant growth parameters such as leaf number, chlorophyll content, stem diameter, and plant length compared to the control treatment. The magnitude of the responses to the hydrogel fertilizer application depended on the concentration of applied hydrogel fertilizer and stress severity with the most positive effects on the growth and yield of tomato observed at a level of 0.5 %. Tomato yield was significantly enhanced by 19.58 %–12.81 %, 18.58 %–22.02 %, and 39.38 %–43.18 % for the plant amended with hydrogel at 0.1–0.5 wt% and grown under water deficit levels of 0, 30, and 70 %, respectively, compared to the control treatment.

Meta-QTL and Candidate Gene Analyses of Agronomic Salt Tolerance and Related Traits in an RIL Population Derived from Solanum pimpinellifolium.

Breeding salt-tolerant crops is necessary to reduce food insecurity. Prebreeding populations are fundamental for uncovering tolerance alleles from wild germplasm. To obtain a physiological interpretation of the agronomic salt tolerance and better criteria to identify candidate genes, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) governing productivity-related traits in a population of recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from S. pimpinellifolium were reanalyzed using an SNP-saturated linkage map and clustered using QTL meta-analysis to synthesize QTL information. A total of 60 out of 85 QTLs were grouped into 12 productivity MQTLs. Ten of them were found to overlap with other tomato yield QTLs that were found using various mapping populations and cultivation conditions. The MQTL compositions showed that fruit yield was genetically associated with leaf water content. Additionally, leaf Cl- and K+ contents were related to tomato productivity under control and salinity conditions, respectively. More than one functional candidate was frequently found, explaining most productivity MQTLs, indicating that the co-regulation of more than one gene within those MQTLs might explain the clustering of agronomic and physiological QTLs. Moreover, MQTL1.2, MQTL3 and MQTL6 point to the root as the main organ involved in increasing productivity under salinity through the wild allele, suggesting that adequate rootstock/scion combinations could have a clear agronomic advantage under salinity.

Green iron oxide nanoparticles and magnetic nanobiochar: enhancing tomato performance, phytochemicals, and root-knot nematode resistance

BackgroundGreen nanoparticles are considered to be an effective strategy for improving phytochemicals and raising productivity in soil infected by root-knot nematodes. This work aims to understand the characteristics of certain nanomaterials, including non-iron (nFe), green non-iron (GnFe), and green magnetic nanobiochar (GMnB), and the effect of adding them at 3 and 6 mg kg− 1 on phytochemicals and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plant growth in soils infected by root-knot nematodes.ResultsSpectroscopic characterization of nanomaterials showed that nFe, GnFe, and GMnB contained functional groups (e.g., Fe-O, S-H, C-H, OH, and C = C) and possessed a large surface area. Application of GMB at 6 mg kg− 1 was the most efficient treatment for increasing the phytochemicals of the tomato plant, with a rise of 123.2% in total phenolic, 194.7% in total flavonoids, 89.7% in total carbohydrate, 185.2% in total free amino acids, and 165.1% in total tannin compared to the untreated soil. Tomato plant growth and attributes increased with increasing levels of soil nano-amendment in this investigation. The addition of GnFe3 and GnFe6 increased the reduction of root galls of root-knot nematodes by 22.44% and 17.76% compared with nFe3 and nFe6, respectively. The inclusion of the examined soil nano-amendments increased phytochemicals and reduced the total number of root-knot nematodes on tomato plants at varying rates, which played a significant role in enhancing tomato growth.ConclusionsIn conclusion, treating tomato plants with GnFe or GMnB can be used as a promising green nanomaterial to eliminate root-knot nematodes and increase tomato yield in sandy clay loam soil.

Foliar applications of a Malvaceae-derived protein hydrolysate and its fractions differentially modulate yield and functional traits of tomato under optimal and suboptimal nitrogen application.

Protein hydrolysates (PHs) can enhance plant nitrogen nutrition and improve the quality of vegetables, depending on their bioactive compounds. A tomato greenhouse experiment was conducted under both optimal (14 mM) and suboptimal (2 mM) nitrogen (N-NO3) conditions. Tomatoes were treated with a new Malvaceae-derived PH (MDPH) and its molecular fractions (MDPH1, >10 kDa; MDPH2, 1-10 kDa and MDPH3, <1 kDa). Under optimal N conditions, the plants increased biomass and fruit yield, and showed a higher photosynthetic pigment content in leaves in comparison with suboptimal N, whereas under N-limiting conditions, an increase in dry matter, soluble solid content (SSC) and lycopene, a reduction in firmness, and changes in organic acid and phenolic compounds were observed. With 14 mM N-NO3, MDPH3 stimulated an increase in dry weight and increased yield components and lycopene in the fruit. The MDPH2 fraction also resulted in increased lycopene accumulation in fruit under 14 mM N-NO3. At a low N level, the PH fractions showed distinct effects compared with the whole MDPH and the control, with an increase in biomass for MDPH1 and MDPH2 and a higher pigment content for MDPH3. Regardless of N availability, all the fractions affected fruit quality by increasing SSC, whereas MDPH2 and MDPH3 modified organic acid content and showed a higher concentration of flavonols, lignans, and stilbenes. The molecular weight of the peptides modifies the effect of PHs on plant performance, with different behavior depending on the level of N fertilization, confirming the effectiveness of fractioning processes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Yield and Fruit Characteristics of Tomato Crops Grown with Mineral Macronutrients: Impact of Organo-Mineral Fertilizers through Foliar or Soil Applications.

The utilization of plant biostimulants has gained importance as a strategy by which to improve plant productivity and soil health. Two independent trials were conducted across two seasons (2021 and 2023) to evaluate the effects of foliar or soil applications of various commercial organo-mineral fertilizers (Futuroot®, Radicon® Amifort®) with biostimulant action that is exerted on yield and fruit characteristics of processing tomato crops (cv Taylor F1) that have been exposed to mineral macronutrients. These treatments were administered three times during the season: at the transplanting, pre-flowering and berry development stages. In the first trial, conducted in two fields characterized respectively by low and high fertility, foliar applications of Radicon®, which is based on humic acid and amino acids, increased the leaf greenness index SPAD compared with the control. Furthermore, the leaf green colour intensity (SPAD index), measured during the reproductive phases of the tomato exhibited a positive correlation (R2 = 0.726) with the marketable yield obtained. This increase in marketable yield was significant in the biostimulant treatment compared with the control in both soils, especially in the soil characterized by lower fertility (16.1%), when compared with the more fertile soil (6.8%). In the second trial, conducted in the low-fertility field mentioned above, soil applications of all biostimulants (Futuroot®, Radicon® and the combinations [Radicon® + Amifort-Plus®]) significantly increased the marketable yield by 27.8%, 13.5% and 27.7%, respectively, compared with the control. The most significant beneficial effects of both Futuroot® and [Radicon® + Amifort®] could be attributed to the combination of humic acids and auxins, cytokinins or microelements (Zn, Mn, MgO) present in the formulation of these products. Furthermore, the increase in marketable yield obtained when Radicon® was applied to leaves was higher (16.1%) than that observed with soil application (13.5%). In both trials, no relevant effects of biostimulant products were observed on most of the physicochemical characteristics of tomato fruits. In conclusion, the biostimulants based on humic acid and amino acids combined with chemical fertilizers tested in the present study and applied by fertigation were more effective in improving tomato yield, and therefore they can be recommended for efficient agricultural production.

Photovoltaic Energy Production in Greenhouses With Spectral Splitting Solar Trackers

The spectral filtering low concentration photovoltaic system developed by Voltiris is an innovative solution for energy production in greenhouses without affecting food production. A first prototype was installed in the greenhouse of the agricultural research center Agroscope in Conthey, Switzerland. During an eight-month agronomic study from March to October, the yield of tomato, pepper bell and basil under this system was on a par with a control group. I-V curves were recorded to evaluate the photovoltaic system performance, and the impact of concentration and filtering. The curves showed that the prototype achieved a direct normal irradiation efficiency of 10.1 %. The specific power output of the Voltiris system inside the greenhouse was comparable to the one of a conventional solar panel placed outside. Filters with two different transmission spectra were used, both of which were matched to the absorption spectra of chlorophyll and reflected 50 % and 60 % of the incident global radiation respectively. To transfer the performance of the system to other greenhouses, the transmittance of the test greenhouse and its glass cover were measured for global and diffuse radiation. This allowed to determine the transmittance of the greenhouse specific metal structure. In the test greenhouse, the overall transmission coefficient for direct solar radiation was 0.28, hence limiting the system yield.

Effect of Different Sources of Nitrogen and Bio Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Cherry Tomato [Solanum lycopersicum L.) Var. Cerasiforme] in Polyhouse Conditions

The present investigation was carried out at Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Naini, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh during the Kharif-2022 with a view to identify the effect of different sources of nitrogen and bio fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of cherry tomato” [Solanum lycopersicum L.) var. cerasiforme] in polyhouse conditions. The experiment was laid in Randomized block design (RBD) with 9 treatments and 3 replications with different combination in RDF and application of organic nutrition. Under this experiment, overall, 10 treatment were taken. From the above experimental finding it may be concluded that the treatment T9 (75% N through urea + 25% N through FYM + Azotobacter (4 kg ha-1) + PSB (4 Kg ha-1) was found to be best in the terms of growth parameters like highest plant height (283.35 cm) at 120 DAT, maximum number of branches per plant (72.33 branches) at 120 DAT. In terms of earliness, it was found to have minimum days to attain 50% flowering (55.93 DAT). In terms of yield T9 had highest number of fruits per cluster (5.57 fruits), and fruit yield per hectare (25.88 t ha-1).

Integration of Horse Manure Vermicompost Doses and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi to Improve Fruit Quality, and Soil Fertility in Tomato Field Facing Drought Stress.

Climate change poses major challenges for agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions, with drought conditions severely affecting water-intensive crops such as tomatoes. This study evaluates the efficacy of organic amendments, derived from horse manure, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on enhancing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit quality and soil health under semi-arid field conditions. The experimental design included two irrigation regimes (well-watered and drought stress) and two levels of vermicompost application (C1 5 t ha-1 and C2 10 t ha-1), applied individually or in combination with AMF. The results indicate that drought stress reduced tomato fruit growth and yield, while osmoprotectant accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activity, and bioactive compound levels increased, and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of tomato fruit also increased. Notably, the biostimulants application, especially (C1+AMF), counteracted the adverse effects of drought, compared to the control, by significantly enhancing fruit yields (60%), as well as increasing ascorbic acid levels (59%) and free amino acids content (90%). These treatments also improved the activity of bioactive compounds and nutrient uptake in the fruit. Furthermore, biostimulant application positively affected the physicochemical properties of soil. The results obtained confirm that the application of biostimulants can be suitable for improving crop sustainability and adaptability under conditions of water stress in semi-arid field regions.

Vapour pressure deficit affects crop water productivity, yield, and quality in tomatoes

A high atmospheric vapour pressure deficit (VPD) hinders calcium absorption in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.), which severely reduces tomato yield, crop water productivity (WPcrop), and quality. Although reducing the VPD is effective for increasing tomato yield and water productivity, regulating the VPD is costly. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of VPD regulation (high VPD=2.22 kPa, low VPD=0.95 kPa) during different growth stages on tomato WPcrop, yield, and quality to identify a VPD management method that saves costs and enhances the above parameters. The results showed that the yield was significantly positively correlated with fruit calcium absorption. Decreasing the VPD during the fruit expansion stage and increasing it during the flowering stage significantly increased calcium accumulation in the fruits, thereby improving tomato WPcrop, yield, and quality. Additionally, a high VPD during the flowering stage increased stomatal conductance and mesophyll conductance, thereby increasing intercellular and chloroplast CO2 concentrations and enhancing plant photosynthetic capacity, and reduced the stem water potential, leaf water potential, and leaf relative water content, thereby increasing the water potential difference, leaf hydraulic conductance, and calcium absorption. By integrating game theory and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution method, a comprehensive analysis of tomato appearance, nutrients, and flavour quality revealed that growing plants under a high VPD during the seedling, flowering, and fruit ripening stages and a low VPD during the fruit expansion stage not only enhanced the comprehensive tomato quality value but also maximally reduced the humidification cost. Conclusively, controlling the environmental VPD at 2.22 kPa during the seedling, flowering, and fruit ripening stages and at 0.95 kPa during the fruit expansion stage can effectively increase tomato WPcrop, yield, and quality. This study provides a theoretical basis for the environmental regulation of high-quality, efficient, and water-conserving cultivation of greenhouse tomatoes.

Intelligent fertigation improves tomato yield and quality and water and nutrient use efficiency in solar greenhouse production

Intelligent fertigation is a sustainable solution for optimising water and fertiliser input, thus minimising environmental pollution in vegetable cultivation facilities and reducing labour costs in agricultural practices. It is important to optimise irrigation scheduling parameters to specific crops to ensure water and nutrient use efficiency. A field experiment was conducted in Shouguang, Shandong Province, to investigate the effects of irrigation scheduling with different treatments (farmer drip irrigation FI, intelligent irrigation II1, and intelligent irrigation II2) on tomato growth, irrigation water and nutrient use efficiency over two growth seasons. Intelligent irrigation II1 and II2 utilised FDR sensors to control the moisture range within 80–95% and 80–85% field capacity (FC) for automatic irrigation scheduling, respectively. Intelligent irrigation (II1 and II2 treatments) reduced irrigation rate by 24.3–63.8% in comparison with FI treatment, significantly increasing total dry matter accumulation, nutrient uptake, yield and fruit quality of tomato. II2 treatment further reduced the irrigation rate by 31.6–32.3% compared to II1 treatment, with no significant difference in tomato yield and quality. Root dry matter, root-shoot ratio, 0–2 mm diameter root length and root surface area, 0–1.5 mm diameter root tips, and >3.5 mm diameter root volume were significantly increased under intelligent irrigation treatments. Positive correlations between irrigation water productivity; nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium use efficiency; and the indices of length, surface area, tips, and volume of roots were highly significant. Intelligent fertigation system (IFS) maintained soil moisture within a suitable range through high-frequency irrigation scheduling, promoted the growth of 0–2 mm diameter roots, which were responsible for absorbing, acquiring, and transporting water and nutrients in the soil, and reduced water loss and nutrient leakage. Taken together, the intelligent fertigation system presented herein is an effective fertigation strategy to improve irrigation water and nutrient use efficiency.

"Evaluating the Effects of Deficit Irrigation and Mulch Type on Yield and Water Productivity of Tomato in Fogera, Ethiopia"

"Evaluating the Effects of Deficit Irrigation and Mulch Type on Yield and Water Productivity of Tomato in Fogera, Ethiopia"

Precision Regulation and Forecasting of Greenhouse Tomato Growth Conditions Using an Improved GA-BP Model

Tomatoes are annual herbaceous plants of the family Solanaceae. They have very stringent requirements for their growing environment and climate conditions. To precisely control the greenhouse environment for tomato growth, this project designed and implemented a monitoring system utilizing programmable logic controllers and a data acquisition system for monitoring. Sensors are installed at key locations in the greenhouse, such as near the ground, in the plant canopy, and under the roof, to monitor environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration in real time. A three-layer feedforward GA-BP neural network model was established using soil temperature, soil humidity, air humidity, and illumination as predictive parameters. This technology predicts optimal environmental parameters and performs real-time monitoring and intelligent control, overcoming the traditional BP neural network’s drawbacks of slow convergence, susceptibility to disturbance, and poor generalization ability, with the current model’s average prediction error being less than 5%. It provides a theoretical basis and decision support for precision control and related environmental forecasting in agricultural projects. Based on the growth characteristics, physiological and morphological features of tomatoes, and the comprehensive impact of planting conditions, the technology enhances tomato yield and quality while reducing production costs and labor inputs. It mainly includes the establishment of tomato growth models, measurement and control of environmental parameters, and the design and optimization of intelligent decision control systems. Research outcomes in this field are significant for improving agricultural production efficiency, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

Improved tomato development by biochar soil amendment and foliar application of potassium under different available soil water contents

The use of carbonaceous materials such as biochar has been considered an innovative solution in agriculture, especially to mitigate dry events caused by climate change. Biochar can improve water holding capacity, physical and chemical properties of soil, and increase the productivity of agricultural systems. However, underlying physiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Mineral supplementation with potassium nitrate (KNO3) via foliar application is another promising strategy in agricultural management under irrigation deficit. Thus, we investigated the combined effects of biochar and foliar application of KNO3 on growth, yield, and physiology of tomato plants under different irrigation regimes. Results did not indicate a synergistic effect of biochar and foliar application of KNO3. Biochar application alleviated tomato plant stress under deficit irrigation, with plants showing better functioning of photosynthetic apparatus, higher yield, and better fruit quality, as well as increased water use efficiency. Coffee husk biochar (K-rich feedstock) fully met the tomato plant’s demand for K and partially met the demand for some other elements (P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu). Although positive effects of KNO3 application was verified for some physiological and fruit quality components, overall, foliar application of KNO3 did not improve tomato yield. It is concluded that biochar soil amendment can be a promising practice to increase yield and quality of tomato fruits under deficit irrigation. Therefore, biochar-based fertilizer can be an alternative K source that also provides stable carbon to soil and helps to mitigate stress caused by prolonged drought.

Aeration Alleviated the Adverse Effects of Nitrogen Topdressing Reduction on Tomato Root Vigor, Photosynthetic Performance, and Fruit Development.

To explore the compensation effect of aeration on tomato vegetative and reproductive growth in arid and semi-arid areas, a two-year field experiment was conducted with four micro-nano aeration ratios (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) and three nitrogen topdressing levels (80, 60, and 40 kg·ha-1) during the tomato growth period in Ningxia, China. The results showed that increasing the aeration ratio in the range of 0-15% was conducive to the enhancement of tomato root vigor (the ability of triphenyltetrazolium chloride to be reduced, 3-104%) and the leaf net photosynthetic rate (14-63%), favorable to the facilitation of plant dry matter accumulation (3-59%) and plant nitrogen accumulation (2-70%), and beneficial to the improvement of tomato yield (12-44%) and fruit quality. Interestingly, since the aeration ratio exceeded 10%, the increase in the aeration ratio showed no significant effects on the single-fruit weight, tomato yield, and fruit quality. Moreover, with aerated underground drip irrigation, properly reducing the traditional nitrogen topdressing level (80 kg·ha-1) by 25% was favorable for enhancing tomato root vigor (5-31%), increasing tomato yield (0.5-9%), and improving fruit soluble solid accumulation (2-5%) and soluble sugar formation (4-9%). Importantly, increasing the aeration ratio by 5% could compensate for the adverse effects of reducing the nitrogen topdressing level by 25% by improving the leaf photosynthetic rate, promoting plant dry matter accumulation, increasing tomato yield, and enhancing the soluble solid and soluble sugar accumulation in tomato fruits. Synthetically considering the decrease in the nitrogen topdressing amount, leading to plant growth promotion, a tomato yield increase, and fruit quality improvement, a favorable nitrogen topdressing level of 60 kg·ha-1 and the corresponding proper aeration ratio of 10% were suggested for tomato underground drip irrigation in the Yinbei Irrigation District of Ningxia.

Physiological and molecular bases of the nickel toxicity responses in tomato

Nickel (Ni), a component of urease, is a micronutrient essential for plant growth and development, but excess Ni is toxic to plants. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the important vegetables worldwide. Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides led to Ni contamination in agricultural soils, thus reducing yield and quality of tomatoes. However, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of Ni toxicity responses in tomato plants have largely not been elucidated. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the Ni toxicity response in tomato plants by physio-biochemical, transcriptomic and molecular regulatory network analyses. Ni toxicity repressed photosynthesis, induced the formation of brush-like lateral roots and interfered with micronutrient accumulation in tomato seedlings. Ni toxicity also induced reactive oxygen species accumulation and oxidative stress responses in plants. Furthermore, Ni toxicity reduced the phytohormone concentrations, including auxin, cytokinin and gibberellic acid, thereby retarding plant growth. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Ni toxicity altered the expression of genes involved in carbon/nitrogen metabolism pathways. Taken together, these results provide a theoretical basis for identifying key genes that could reduce excess Ni accumulation in tomato plants and are helpful for ensuring food safety and sustainable agricultural development.