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Heat stress substantially reduces tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) growth and yield globally, thereby jeopardizing food security. DnaJ proteins, constituents of the heat shock protein system, protect cells from diverse environmental stresses as HSP‐70 molecular co‐chaperones. In this study, we demonstrated that AdDjSKI, a serine‐rich DnaJ III protein induced by pathogens, plays an important role in stabilizing photosystem II (PSII) in response to heat stress. Our results revealed that transplastomic tomato plants expressing the AdDjSKI gene exhibited increased levels of total soluble proteins, improved growth and chlorophyll content, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, and diminished PSII photoinhibition under elevated temperatures when compared with wild‐type (WT) plants. Intriguingly, these transplastomic plants maintained higher levels of D1 protein under elevated temperatures compared with the WT plants, suggesting that overexpression of AdDjSKI in plastids is crucial for PSII protection, likely due to its chaperone activity. Furthermore, the transplastomic plants displayed lower accumulation of superoxide radical (O2•─) and H2O2, in comparison with the WT plants, plausibly attributed to higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities. This also coincides with an enhanced expression of corresponding genes, including SlCuZnSOD, SlFeSOD, SlAPX2, and SltAPX, under heat stress. Taken together, our findings reveal that chloroplastic expression of AdDjSKI in tomatoes plays a critical role in fruit yield, primarily through a combination of delayed senescence and stabilizing PSII under heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing interest in producing organic tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) in high tunnels (HTs) in the southeast United States. HTs are unheated, passively cooled structures that allow tomato growers to harvest high-quality fruit out of season. However, excessive temperatures inside HTs may negatively impact tomato plant growth and fruit yield. Shade nets have been reported to reduce temperatures inside the HTs. Plastic mulch color has also significantly influenced plant growth and yield under high-temperature conditions. This study aimed to determine the effects of shade net color and plastic mulch color on plant growth, fruit yield, and incidence of tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLC) in 'Red Snapper' tomato grown in HTs under elevated temperatures (summer-fall) in southern Georgia, USA. Organic 'Red Snapper' tomato seedlings were transplanted in HTs in 2019 (Season 1) and 2020 (Season 2). The design was a split-plot randomized block where the main plots were externally mounted shade nets (black, silver, and unshaded; 30% shade factor), and the subplots were plastic mulches (black and white). Compared with black mulch, white mulch improved plant height and stem diameter but did not influence fruit yields. Shade nets reduced HT air temperature and root zone temperature (RZT) but did not affect plant height and stem diameter. The diminished photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) under the shade nets reduced marketable fruit yield. Thus, shade nets are not recommended once heat challenges do not limit HT tomato production in Georgia (after about mid-October). Shade nets and plastic mulch inconsistently affected TYLC incidence, severity, and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). Additional fruit yield reductions occurred due to TYLC because the incidence was 100% 6 weeks after transplanting. Preliminary insect data showed that shade net treatments had similar sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) numbers. The high TYLC incidence indicates that 'Red Snapper' may not be suitable for fall HT tomato production in the southeast United States. More research on shading and heat stress management in HT organic tomato production is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lycopene is an essential antioxidant found in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) that can inhibit and prevent cell damage in the body. Thus, enhancing lycopene content is one of the crucial objectives in tomato breeding. Efforts should focus on assembling the tomato with high fruit yield and good quality by conducting transgressive segregant selection through plant breeding programs. The study aimed to select tomato lines with the potential for transgressive segregation based on high fruit yield and lycopene content. The research began in an augmented design combined with factors comprising 54 non-repeated tomato lines, compared with four repeated standard cultivars (Mawar, Chung, Karina, and Tymoti). The tomato lines' planting into seven blocks had no repeats, while the check cultivars for comparison engaged in repeated planting in each block. The observations underwent the analysis of variance (ANOVA), path analysis, correlation, heritability (narrow sense), and transgressive segregants. Based on transgressive segregation, the high-yielding tomato lines selected bore analysis for lycopene content. Based on the plant height and productive bunches per plant (directly supporting the fruit yield), the 14 promising transgressive segregant families' selection comprised 10 MC crosses, MC10.10, MC10.4, MC11.4, MC12.3, MC27.12, MC27.7, MC29.4, MC35.7, MC74.12, and MC8.3 and four KM crosses, KM23.2, KM26.1, KM30.5, and KM.5.5. For increased lycopene content, the five F4 families MC10.10, MC27.12, MC35.7, KM23.2, and KM30.5 showed better performance wherein selecting 10 transgressive segregant lines resulted with high lycopene content and fruit yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sowing density optimal is rated a less expensive solution for enhancing the output of tomato yield in the background of extending food requirements worldwide. Methods: The main objective of this study is to investigate the sowing density effect on the growth and tomato yield planted in Don Duong district of Lam Dong province, Vietnam. The study was conducted during the spring tomato crop (January to June 2020) with five different sowing densities varying from 33000 to 50000 plants/ha based on drip irrigation system supply approximately 100% of actual evapotranspiration. Result: Results pointed out that among investigated sowing densities, sowing density 45830 plants/ha obtained the optimal fruit yield (OFY) up to 87.8 tons/ha compared with different sowing densities while other observed variations as the number of bunches, fruit weight per plant and diameter were no significant difference. Based on the findings, tomato growers can sow with a density 45830 plants/ha to obtain the OFY thereby contributing to increase profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To seek the optimal combination of water–air for drip irrigation processing tomatoes in Northern Xinjiang, China, field experiments consisted of four irrigation levels, and two types of gas-filling methods were proposed. Throughout the whole growth period, the water consumption by physical aeration and chemical aeration increased by 13.65% and 9.27%, respectively compared with the nonaerated treatment. Under the conditions of physical aeration, the processing tomato fruit yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) increased by 8.14% and 4.74%; while by chemical aeration, they increased by 7.91% and 4.61%, respectively. Physical aeration had the most prominent role in increasing the contents of organic acid, soluble solids, soluble sugar, lycopene, and VC in processing tomatoes. The presented indicators show that the effect of physical aeration was better than that of chemical aeration. Physical aeration in combination with different irrigation levels, the 4,950 m3·hm−2 irrigation level gave the highest yield of processing tomato, whereas the highest IWUE was obtained in the 4,500 m3·hm−2 irrigation treatment, and the quality parameters of processing tomatoes at the 4,500 m3·hm−2 irrigation level performed better than those at the 4,950 m3·hm−2 irrigation level. To take into account the requirements of processing tomatoes for maximum IWUE and fruit yield and quality, the entropy weight method was used to determine that the irrigation water volume of 4,500 m3·hm−2 under the conditions of physical aeration can be used as a suitable water and air combination pattern for processing tomatoes in drip irrigation in Northern Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different irrigation water quality and silicon doses on leaf soil plant analysis development meter readings, chlorophyll content and carotenoid contents of tomato plants. Tybiff Aq tomato seedlings were grown in 3-liter pots filled with 1100 g of 1:1 peatperlite mixture for 70 days. Four different types of irrigation water quality were prepared with the use of sea and tap water. Irrigation waters included i) Full seawater, ii) ½ seawater + ½ tap water, iii) ¼ seawater + ¾ tap water, iv) full tap water (control). Each irrigation water was supplemented with silica gel (SiO2.x H2O) at 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mM Si doses. Nutrient solutions were supplied to meet macro and micronutrient requirements of tomato plants. Leaf chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll contents significantly increased with increasing tap water ratios of the irrigation water. Significant increases were observed in chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll contents with increasing silicon doses. Such increases achieved with silicon treatments were more remarkable for chlorophyll-a and total chlorophyll contents. Leaf chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll contents significantly decreased with increasing leaf sodium, chlorine and magnesium contents, but significantly increased with increasing leaf active iron and potassium contents. Leaf chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll contents increased with increasing leaf calcium contents, but such increases were not significant. Leaf carotenoid contents significantly increased with increasing tap water ratios of the irrigation water. Effects of silicon doses on leaf carotenoid contents varied with the type of irrigation water. The 0.5 mM silicon supplementation into tap water significantly increased carotenoid contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Microbial biofertilizers and algae‐based biostimulants have been recognized for supporting sustainable agriculture. Field experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 growing seasons in an organic farm located in Ferrara (Italy) with the aim of evaluating plant growth‐promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) and algae‐based biostimulants (Biost) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The experimental treatments were: (i) two microbial biofertilizers (PGPM_1, PGPM_2) and no inoculated plants (No_PGPM); and (ii) two algae‐based biostimulant rates (0.5% (Biost_0.5%), 1.0% (Biost_1.0%)) and no application (No_Biost). PGPMs were applied at transplanting, while biostimulants at 15 and 30 days after transplanting. Treatments were replicated three times according to a split‐plot experimental design. Plant characteristics were evaluated at 30 days after transplanting in No_Biost treatments. During tomato cultivation, soil plant analysis development (SPAD), nitrogen difference vegetation index (NDVI), leaf area index (LAI) and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were monitored. Tomato yield was determined. RESULTS: PGPM_2 showed the highest shoot biomass (132.9 g plant−1), plant height (44.7 cm), leaf number (34.0 plant−1) and root biomass (9.22 g plant−1). Intermediate values were observed in PGPM_1, while all parameters were lower in No_PGPM. Both PGPMs achieved higher values of SPAD, NDVI, PPFD and LAI than No_PGPM. Biost_1.0% increased all measured growth parameters followed by Biost_0.5% and No_Biost, respectively. Tomato yield was the highest for PGPM_2–Biost_1.0% (67.2 t ha−1). PGPMs affected fruit size and sugar content, while biostimulants were associated with color and lycopene. CONCLUSION: The application of microbial biofertilizers and algae‐based biostimulants could be part of environment‐friendly practice in organic farming. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objective: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most important economic and widely used crops in horticulture. It is a self-fertilizing and diploid plant and has 24 pairs of chromosomes (2n=2x=24). The life cycle of this plant is one year, and it is cultivated in greenhouses and fields. There are many varieties of tomatoes that differ from each other in terms of plant growth, quality, fruit shape, and other traits. Tomato fruit has a high nutritional value, consisting of minerals, vitamins, fibers, citric acid, β-Carotene and ascorbic acid. Diversity and selection are the two main pillars of any reformation program, and choosing is based on the existence of desirable diversity in the reformation materials under discussion. To produce varieties of tomatoes with high productivity, quality and resistance, breeders need evaluation of genetic diversity, identification and introduction of new genotypes. In other words, systematic study and evaluation of germplasm is of great importance for current and future agronomic and genetic improvement of the crop. Different methods are used to estimate genetic diversity and group genotypes, and the evaluation of morphological and physiological characteristics can be considered as the first step in the investigation of genetic diversity. Different genotypes of tomato differ in terms of morphological and physiological traits, and fruit yield is influenced by some of these traits. Therefore, the selection of criteria other than fruit yield, which have more stability than fruit yield, can be considered as a selection guide in the selection of desirable cultivars. Accordingly, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the genetic diversity and grouping of tomato genotypes (53 genotypes) based on morphological and physiological traits. Material and Methods: In the present study, 53 genotypes of tomato plants were investigated using a randomized complete block design with three replications under greenhouse conditions at the Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. After disinfecting and planting the seeds in the pot, sampling of the seedlings was performed. Morphological traits such as plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of the plant, number of side branches, number of leaves, root length, fresh and dry weight of the organ air, fresh and dry weight of roots, fruit number, fruit yield, and physiological traits including proline content, photosynthetic pigments (including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid), and total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were measured. Furthermore, the obtained data were subjected to variance analysis, mean comparison, correlation coefficient, factor analysis, and cluster analysis using suitable software. Results: After analyzing the data, the results of the evaluation of variance showed that the difference of the studied genotypes in terms of all traits except proline trait was significant at the probability level of 1%. Estimation of the correlation coefficients between the studied traits showed a significant correlation between most of the studied traits and fruit yield. Further, the results of the investigation into factors showed that 6 factors explained more than 77% of the total variance, so that the contribution of the first to sixth factors was 24, 18, 14, 9, 7, and 6% of the total changes, respectively. For better interpretation, larger factor coefficients for each factor were considered significant. Because the largest factor coefficients among the coefficients of each factor indicate the attribute or attribute that plays the greatest role in those factors, the factors were named accordingly. In this way, the first factor was named the fruit yield factor, the second the photosynthesis factor, the third the phenolic factor, the fourth the root weight factor, the fifth the proline factor, and the sixth the stem diameter factor. Based on the results of the cluster analysis, it was observed that the genotypes were significantly different in terms of the measured morphological and physiological traits and they were placed in 3 different groups, each of which had 30, 19, and 4 genotypes, respectively, and the genotypes in the group Third, in terms of studied traits, they were better to other groups. Conclusion: In general, based on the analysis, the genotypes were significantly different in terms of the measured traits. This article shows that there is a suitable diversity among the studied genotypes and it is possible to select based on these characteristics among the studied genotypes and the selection can be effective in their improvement programs. By estimating the phenotypic correlation coefficients, it was found that the fruit yield trait had the most positive and significant correlation with the number of fruits and the amount of photosynthetic pigments. Therefore, these traits can be considered in tomato fruit yield genetic improvement programs. Considering that the average of most of the traits studied for the genotypes belonging to the third cluster (13, 15, 45 and 46) was higher than the total average and the said genotypes were excellent in terms of developmental and physiological parameters compared with other genotypes, the top genotypes identified in this research can be considered and used in future breeding studies in this valuable plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We evaluated the effect of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract (ASE) formulation on tomato under drought stress. • Tomato yielded more when ASE was applied at 5 mL L–1 as a soil drench than as a foliar spray. • Water productivity was maximized at 5 mL L–1 for all soil moisture levels. • Soil or foliar application of ASE at 5 mL L−1 could be regarded as an optimum dose. • ASE at 5 mL L−1 as a soil drench is more effective than its application as a foliar spray. The scarcity of irrigation water is a major threat restricting growth and productivity of almost all agronomic and horticultural crops. The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is no exception. Seaweed extracts are widely used as biostimulants for the improvement of plant growth and development. Two independent pot experiments were conducted to find out the best soil drench or foliar spray dose of a commercial Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract (ASE) formulation (Amino Seaweed, SV Group, Bangkok, Thailand) on growth, physiological and biochemical parameters, fruit yield, quality, and water productivity of tomato under water-deficit stress. The commercial ASE formulation was applied in five doses (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mL L−1) as a soil drench (Experiment 1) or as a foliar spray (Experiment 2) under three soil moisture levels (50, 75, and 100% field capacity [FC]). Severe soil moisture deficit of 50% FC caused a 67 and 52% reduction in fruit yield, 11 and 11% reduction in fruit length, 25 and 29% decrease in leaf relative water content, while total soluble solids content was increased by 38 and 49% compared with 100% FC in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Soil drench or foliar spray of the commercial ASE formulation at 5 mL L−1 was effective at all soil moisture levels. Soil drench of the commercial ASE formulation at 5 mL L−1 resulted in 225% higher fruit yield in comparison to the untreated plants at 50% FC, whereas its application as a foliar spray resulted in 271% higher fruit yield in comparison to the untreated plants subjected to severe water-deficit stress (50% FC). Water productivity was found lower for the untreated plants regardless of soil moisture levels in both application methods; however, it was maximized at 5 mL L–1 for all soil moisture levels. The beneficial effects of 5 mL L–1 ASE formulation dose was also evident in physiological/biochemical traits and fruit quality of tomato regardless of application methods. Tomato yielded more when the commercial ASE formulation was applied at 5 mL L–1 as a soil drench (523.3 g plant–1 fruit yield) rather than as a foliar spray treatment (397.1 g plant–1 fruit yield). The results indicate that (i) 5 mL L−1 could be regarded as an optimum dose of the commercial ASE formulation for tomato applied either as a soil drench or foliar spray and (ii) exogenous application of the commercial ASE formulation at 5 mL L−1 as a soil drench treatment is more efficient, especially in fruit yield improvement, compared with its application as a foliar spray and, therefore, this technique holds promise for tomato cultivation under moderate water-deficit stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato is one of the major economically domesticated crops, and it is extensively used in different ways and purposes worldwide. Cell metabolism is the central core of all the biological processes to sustain life including cell growth, differentiation, maintenance, and response to environmental stress. To evaluate how genetic engineering can improve tomato fruit metabolome, the transcriptomic and metabolomic datasets of two transgenic tomatoes (SlMX1 overexpression and RNAi lines) have been compared with wild-type. The combined results demonstrated that the constitutive expression of SlMX1 not only increased trichome formation, carotenoids, and terpenoids as has been stated in several studies, but has also up- and down-regulated the expression of multiple genes related to cell growth (cell wall turnover), primary (carbohydrates, vitamins, and phytohormones), and secondary (phenylpropanoids, carotenoids, and terpenoids) metabolism, cell signaling, and stress responses. These changes in gene expression due to the constitutive expression of SlMX1 promote the most important agroeconomic traits such as fruit yield and quality, biosynthesis of health-promoting phytochemicals (including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins), and finally, activate resistance to Botrytis cinerea and repress the expression of over-ripening-related genes, thus extending the fruit shelf-life. In conclusion, the traits improvement achieved by SlMX1 overexpression can be harnessed in molecular breeding programs to engineer fruit size and yield, induce health-promoting secondary metabolites, promote fungal resistance, and finally extend the fruit shelf-life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: CONSTANS (CO) and CONSTANS-LIKE (COL) transcription factors have been known to regulate a series of cellular processes including the transition from the vegetative growth to flower development in plants. However, their role in regulating fruit yield in tomato is poorly understood. Result: In this study, the tomato ortholog of Arabidopsis CONSTANS, SlCOL1, was shown to play key roles in the control of flower development and fruit yield. Suppression of SlCOL1 expression in tomato was found to lead to promotion of flower and fruit development, resulting in increased tomato fruit yield. On the contrary, overexpression of SlCOL1 disturbed flower and fruit development, and significantly reduced tomato fruit yield. Genetic and biochemical evidence indicated that SlCOL1 controls inflorescence development by directly binding to the promoter region of tomato inflorescence-associated gene SINGLE-FLOWER TRUSS (SFT) and negatively regulating its expression. Additionally, we found that SlCOL1 can also negatively regulate fruit size in tomato. Conclusions: Tomato SlCOL1 binds to the promoter of the SFT gene, down-regulates its expression, and plays a key role in reducing the fruit size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar made from crop residues has been shown to improve soil texture, soil porosity and soil structure. It can enhance fertilizer utilization, reduce leaching loses and hence improve nitrogen supply for plant growth. Utilization of biochar in preparation of potting substrates can enhance growth and yields of greenhouse tomato. A study was carried out to test the influence of rice husks biochar on substrate properties, growth and yield of greenhouse tomato. The experiment was carried as a factorial in completely randomized design with two factors: four biochar levels and two soil types, replicated three times. The biochar levels were volume ratios of 0 biochar: 1 soil (0Biochar), 0.25 biochar: 0.75 soil (0.25Biochar), 0.5 biochar: 0.5 soil (0.5Biochar) and 0.75 biochar: 0.25 soil (0.75Biochar). The two soil types used were the well drained deep red friable soil and imperfectly drained dark brown clay soil obtained from the University farm. Tomato Anna F1 was grown in four-liter plastic pots containing about 3 kg of soil-biochar mixture. Data were collected on the plant growth parameters of plant height, number of leaves per plant and plant dry weight upto the 8th - 9th week after transplanting, when fruit ripening began. The chlorophyll index of the leaves were measured using the SPAD meter. At harvesting, fresh weight and number of the fruits were determined. Incorporating biochar into potting substrate at 0.25-0.75 levels significantly increased evapotranspiration during early vegetative growth. This was indicative of biochar changing substrate properties mainly through significant reduction of bulk density and possibly increasing porosity. Biochar levels of 0.25-0.75 resulted in significant increases in vegetative growth and fruit yield of tomato. Adding biochar to the pot substrate increased tomato plant height, plant dry weight and fruit fresh weight by 21- 34%, 50-64% and 49%-56%, respectively. The increase in vegetative growth and fruit yield at 0.25-0.75 biochar levels was attributed to the positive effect of biochar on substrate physical properties. Plant height and number of leaves per plant had a significant linear relationship whose slope, the rate of increase in plant height with increase in number of leaves was not influenced by biochar levels. Biochar enhanced growth without changing the ratio of plant height to number of leaves of tomato. It is concluded that incorporation of biochar made from rice husks at 0.25 level can enhance greenhouse production in both red and clay soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to determine the types of gene action of different yield-related traits in tomato and the combining ability in four advanced lines. The heterotic response in tomato hybrids was also assessed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among all the traits. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for all chosen traits were computed using Griffing's approach of diallel. Combining ability revealed the additive and non-additive genetic effects for all selected traits of advanced lines. T-1360 was found as a good general combiner for the number of cluster plant-1, average fruit weight, number of flowers cluster-1, fruit length, number of fruit cluster-1, and yield. The variance of the GCA to SCA ratio was found less than 0.5 for each trait, which confirmed the presence of non-additive gene action. The results revealed higher magnitudes of phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) than the genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV). The high magnitudes of heritability (72% to 92%) and genetic advance (36.63% to 139.72%) were found for the number of cluster plant-1, average fruit weight (g), the number of fruits cluster-1, and yield. Among all crosses, the cross ST-100 × T-1360 showed maximum positive heterosis over the mid parent (566.6%) and the better parent (455.5%). The identified tomato genotypes can be used further in different tomato breeding programs to improve fruit yield and other yield-related traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is crucial for agriculture and needs to be used effectively due to climate change and drought in the Mediterranean region. For this reason, to adapt to water deficit scenarios, deficit irrigation applications are increasing in importance. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of varying levels of irrigation on growth parameters and concentration of nutrients in tomato plants grown under greenhouse conditions. The irrigation schedule used in this study was designed to include 100% (control), 90%, 80% and 70% of evaporation from the class-A pan. Water deficit was found to cause a stress effect in tomato plants, which was reflected in changes in the physiological function plants, such as flowering and early ripening. In addition, the SPAD values were examined, for which the lowest value of the green color intensity of the leaves was 47.3 (I3) and the highest was 48.7 (I4). However, the results of statistical analyses show that the difference was not significant. We also observed that the height values of tomato plants were the highest in the period of seedling and fruit ripening under full irrigation. Furthermore, analysis of the macronutrient content of tomato leaves showed that the obtained values were below the threshold values recommended for manganese. Based on these and similar studies, we believe that the application of water stress is most effective during the phases in which the plants are least affected. We believe that determining the periods during which tomato or any other crop is be affected by the least water stress will be more accurate for both plant development and economic production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing sustainable crop protection practices is crucial to protect global harvests and ensure high-quality food supplies. While priming is an established method in seed production for the fortification of plants against various stresses, it is not yet a standard practice in transplant cultivation. Thus, we evaluated the long-term effects of thermopriming—a heat-based priming technique—on the growth, development, and fruit yield of tomato plants. Following a recovery period of about six weeks for thermoprimed plants without stress inducers, we subjected them to subsequent salt stress to ascertain the persistence of the priming effects. Additionally, we compared the efficacy of thermopriming with benzothiadiazole (BTH), a chemical elicitor, in enhancing plant resilience to abiotic stress. While BTH application negatively impacted both plant growth and fruit health, thermopriming showed no such adverse effects on these parameters. Instead, thermopriming initially enhanced the plant defense mechanisms by increasing the accumulation of protective phenols and flavonoids in the leaves. Interestingly, while thermopriming did not alter the response to salt stress, it notably strengthened the overall resilience of the plants. Our findings underscore both the potential and temporal constraints of thermopriming memory. Nonetheless, primed plants exhibited temporarily increased stress tolerance, offering a means to safeguard the offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The continuous growth of the global population and the increase in the amount of arid land has severely constrained agricultural crop production. To solve this problem, many researchers have attempted to increase productivity through the efficient distribution of energy; however, the direct relationship between the plant vasculature, specifically phloem development, and crop yield is not well established. Here, we demonstrate that an optimum increase in phloem‐transportation capacity by reducing SIJUL expression leads to improved sink strength in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). SIJUL, a negative regulator of phloem development, suppresses the translation of a positive regulator of phloem development, SlSMXL5. The suppression of SlJUL increases the number of phloem cells and sucrose transport, but only an optimal reduction of SlJUL function greatly enhances sink strength in tomato, improving fruit setting, and yield contents by 37% and 60%, respectively. We show that the increment in phloem cell number confers spare transport capacity. Our results suggest that the control of phloem‐transport capacity within the threshold could enhance the commitment of photosynthates to instigate yield improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wide range of components, including amino acids, small peptides, and osmoactive substances (proline, glycine betaine), makes protein hydrolysate a promising biostimulant type, encouraging plant productivity both under smooth or adverse environmental conditions. Plantbased biostimulants can boost growth, yield, quality, and bioactive compounds in a variety of crops. The present study examined the effects of an enzymatic protein hydrolysate formulation (Activeg) applied different times (3, 6, or 9), compared to an untreated control, on production and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) 'miniplum' fruits grown in a greenhouse during the autumn-winter season. This study was carried out at the University of Federico II, Department of Agriculture (40°49' N, 14°20' E). A randomized complete block design was used to distribute the experimental treatments in the field; the obtained data were analyzed using ANOVA. The biostimulant applied 3 or 6 times led to the highest yields, whereas 6 or 9 sprayings enhanced fruit firmness, dry residue, soluble solids and antioxidants. The biostimulant treatment repeated 6 times resulted in the best overall tomato performances in terms of fruit yield, quality and antioxidant content, in the autumn-winter season, which suggests the chance to reduce the chemical fertilizer input, thus contributing to the vegetable crop system sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the current context of reducing chemical N input in agriculture, it is important to investigate better N allocation to different growth stages of crops. The plants were subjected to sufficient and reduced soil water regimes in interaction with two N application proportions applied at the vegetative and reproductive growth stages of tomato plants, respectively. In terms of the soil water impact, across the N proportion treatments, the reduced water treatments significantly decreased leaf and biomass growth by 33% and meanwhile remarkably reduced stomatal conductance of leaves, which significantly decreased water consumption by 41%. Consequently, plant WUE markedly decreased by 10.4%. The N uptake and fresh yield were considerably reduced by 37.5% and 39.3%, respectively. Regarding the N proportion effect across the soil water treatments, the lower N application of 30% at the vegetative growth stage significantly enhanced photosynthesis products allocated to fruits, which substantially improved the fresh yield by 32.9%. Furthermore, it significantly improved N accumulation by 9.0% compared to the higher N application of 70% at this stage. Conclusively, when given the certain amount of N supply, the N allocation should be reduced at the vegetative growth stage to achieve high yield and N uptake in tomato production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at investigating the effects of two irrigation regimes (full and deficit irrigation), combined with four different fertilizer rates on fruit yield, irrigation water and fertilizer use efficiency of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), grown in unheated greenhouse under mulched drip irrigation and fertigation. For two consecutive years (2019–2020), experiments were conducted on the experimental field in Chelopechene of ISSAPP „Nikola Pushkarov“, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Two irrigation rates (100% and 60% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc)), under four fertilizer rates (unfertilized, 80% NPK, 100% NPK, 120% NPK), have been served as a treatment. The results showed that greater fruit yields were obtained in fully irrigated treatments. Application of the highest fertilizer rate (120% NPK) results in highest average total yield, both in fully irrigated (104.37 t ha-1) and deficit irrigation (78.02 t ha-1) treatments. Irrigation water use efficiency was higher under deficit irrigation and its maximum value (34.87 kg m-3 for 2020 ) was obtained with the highest fertilser rate trough fertigation. The highest nitrogen use efficiency (672.14 kg kg-1) was obtained in the fully irrigated treatment with the highest fertilizer rate. The experimental results obtained in both years indicated that drip fertigation technology with appropriately selected levels of irrigation and fertilization could improve fruit yield and water and nutrient use efficiency of greenhouse tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of iron-efficient rootstocks can be a sustainable way to enhance iron (Fe) fruit content in tomato. A hybrid tomato variety was grafted on a genotyped population of recombinant inbred lines derived from Solanum pimpinellifolium, and compared with self- and non-grafted controls under low iron (5.2 µM) growing conditions. Rootstock effects on total fruit yield, fruit [Fe] and yield Fe content (FeUEc) were the target traits; other minerals were also investigated by quantitative trait loci (QTL) and candidate gene analyses. The rootstock genotype affected fruit concentrations of Fe, Ca, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Si and Al. Most rootstocks increased FeUEc. Fruit and leaf [Fe] and FeUEc were genetically complex, involving epistatic interactions. Six and eight QTLs were detected for these traits, respectively, by multiple QTL mapping. Two kinds of relevant genes were found among candidates within QTLs for iron related traits: those coding for secretory proteins specific of the tomato xylem sap under iron deficiency, and others having a role in iron uptake such as TOMLHA1, FRO1, NRAMP2, FER and MYB72. Detected QTLs might reflect differences in the regulatory regions of those relevant genes, more than in their coding sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At a time when growers have to increase food production, while facing many environmental challenges, biostimulants and plant defence stimulators (PDS) may help reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and to promote agriculture that is more respectful of the environment. For organic farming, they may contribute to increasing plant resilience and crop productivity. Several studies have shown that plant-derived protein hydrolysates may increase nutrient use efficiency and promote plant resistance to abiotic or biotic stresses. We therefore hypothesized that soy protein hydrolysates increase tomato growth and productivity, while promoting plant disease resistance. Our results showed that one or two drench applications of soy protein hydrolysates (SPH13 and SPH18 at 10 g L−1) to the growing medium increased tomato ('Micro Tom') plant growth and fruit production, while one studied hydrolysate enriched in glycine (SPH18) increased the expression levels of PR1 and PR8, two defence-related genes. Although no significant effect was observed on Botrytis cinerea resistance of Micro Tom plants, SPHs significantly increased 'M82' plant resistance to foliar inoculation with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000, which further confirmed the systemic activation of plant defence mechanisms by SPHs in tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The initial yield was increased with vertical training if compared to horizontal one. • The plant growth was increased with vertical training if compared to horizontal one. • Photosynthetic rate varied depending on the leaf position between the two directions. • The auxin and CKs concentrations in plants were different between the two directions. Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate whether vertical or horizontal training of the main stem of the determinate-type processing tomato 'Shuho' (Solanum lycopersicum L.) through physical stimulation affects its yield, growth, and physiological characteristics. There was no difference in the total fruit yield and fruit number per plant between the two training directions, but fruit yield, fruit number at 11 weeks after transplanting, and the marketable fruit percent were higher in vertically-trained plants. Furthermore, the stem length increased, the stem diameter decreased, and the lateral shoots at the sixth to seventh and first to fourth nodes were longer in vertically-trained plants due to a positive association between lateral shoot elongation and the concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid, isopentenyl adenine riboside, and isopentenyl adenine. Vertical training, if compared to horizontal one, also resulted in an increased leaf area and photosynthetic rate in the seventh true leaf, bleeding sap rate of the xylem, and dry weights and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents of the leaf, stem, upper lateral shoots, and roots. These results suggest that vertical training of the main stem is more efficient than horizontal training for increasing the marketable fruit ratio and initial fruit yield of processing tomatoes because it induces morphological changes and increased vegetative growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Exogenous silicon application effect on drip-irrigated greenhouse tomato was explored. • Drought-salt stress significantly reduced tomato growth and physiological characteristics. • Exogenous silicon application improved yield by 6.5−17.7% under drought-salt stress. • Silicon application increased total soluble solids, vitamin C, soluble sugars and lycopene content. Improving crop productivity in drought-stressed and salt-affected regions is the key to promoting sustainable agriculture. Silicon is considered to improve the stress tolerance of crops, but how exogenous silicon application affects the fruit yield and quality of tomato under combined drought and salt stress remains unclear. A greenhouse experiment was conducted over two consecutive growing seasons (autumn 2021 and spring 2022) to investigate the effects of exogenous silicon application on leaf greenness, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, fruit yield and quality of drip-fertigated greenhouse tomato under various drought and salt stresses. There were three irrigation levels: I 1 (90–100% θ f , where θ f is the field capacity), I 2 (70%–80% θ f) and I 3 (50%–60% θ f), two soil salinity levels: S 0 (0.1%) and S 1 (0.4%), and two silicon application rates: T 0 (0 mmol L−1) and T 1 (2.4 mmol L−1), resulting in a total of 12 treatments with three replicates. The results showed that the combined drought and salt stress significantly reduced leaf silicon content, plant height, leaf area index, aboveground biomass, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of tomato plants, while the exogenous silicon application promoted these parameters. Irrigation level, salinity level, silicon rate and the interaction of irrigation level and salinity level had significant effects on fruit yield. Compared to S 0, S 1 decreased fruit yield by 18.42%, 17.91% and 20.64% under I 1 , I 2 and I 3 , respectively. Exogenous silicon application significantly improved fruit yield by 6.52% (I 3 S 0) - 17.73% (I 2 S 1). Irrigation level, salinity level and silicon rate had inconsistent effects on fruit quality. Exogenous silicon application significantly increased total soluble solids, Vitamin C, soluble sugars and lycopene content, without significant effect on titratable acid. The lower irrigation level and higher salinity level resulted in better fruit quality. The path analysis showed that leaf silicon content, net photosynthetic rate, lycopene, average fruit weight had significant direct positive effects on fruit yield. The results are informative for improving drip-fertigated greenhouse tomato productivity and quality under drought-stressed and salt-affected conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change exacerbates abiotic stresses like salinization, negatively impacting crop yield, so development of strategies, like using salt‐tolerant rootstocks, is crucial. The CALCINEURIN B‐LIKE 10 (SlCBL10) gene has been previously identified as a positive regulator of salt tolerance in the tomato shoot. Here, we report a different function of SlCBL10 in tomato shoot and root, as disruption of SlCBL10 only induced salt sensitivity when it was used in the scion but not in the rootstock. The use of SlCBL10 silencing rootstocks (Slcbl10 mutant and RNAi line) improved salt tolerance on the basis of fruit yield. These changes were associated with improved Na+ and K+ homoeostasis, as SlCBL10 silencing reduced the Na+ content and increased the K+ content under salinity, not only in the rootstock but also in the shoot. Improvement of Na+ homoeostasis in Slcbl10 rootstock seems to be mainly due to induction of SlSOS1 expression, while the higher K+ accumulation in roots seems to be mainly determined by expression of LKT1 transporter and SlSKOR channel. These findings demonstrate that SlCBL10 is a negative regulator of salt tolerance in the root, so the use of downregulated SlCBL10 rootstocks may provide a suitable strategy to increase tomato fruit production under salinity. Summary statement: A novel function of SlCBL10 in tomato root is reported, as the gene silencing rootstock improve salt tolerance of the shoot genotype throughout growth cycle resulting in higher fruit yield. The salt tolerance is related to improved Na+/K+ homoeostasis via upregulated expression of SlSOS1 for Na+ and LKT1 and SlSKOR for K+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiments were conducted on tomato plants to study the interactive responses of water levels (W70%: 70% of water consumption and W90%: 90% water consumption) and nitrogen rates (N100%: 100% of recommended and N80%:80% of N1.0) under two straw mulching conditions (NS; no straw introduced and WS: with buried straw layer) on growth and physiological parameters for two fruit growing years to assess the interactive responses of fertigation under buried straw layer on the changes in plant fresh and dry biomass, roots biomass, photosynthesis rate (PN), stomatal conductance (GS) and chlorophyll fluorescence of tomato plants. Buried straw layer was proved to improve plant biomass, photosynthesis rate and other physiological traits such as chlorophyll contents (Chl), maximum electron transport rate (ETRmax), maximum quantum yield (FV/FM) and GS under the lower fertilizer (N80%) and irrigation levels (W70%). However, increasing fertilizer and irrigation level decreased these parameters significantly (p <.05 to p <.001) under buried straw layer. Conversely, increased fertilizer (N100%) and irrigation (W90%) levels increased these parameters significantly (p <.05 to p <.001) under no straw condition. The overall findings revealed that buried straw layer could relieve stress developed by limited irrigation water and fertilizer and benefit plant growth, physiological parameters and fruit yield of tomato plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grafting is a technique that improves tomato productivity (Solanum lycopersicum L.) if the rootstock/scion combination is adequate. In Mexico, the seed of the rootstock is imported, it is expensive and, therefore, limited. In order to identify outstanding germplasm with potential as a rootstock, two experiments were established to evaluate 10 wild relative accessions from the cultivated tomato. The hypothesis was that there are wild germplasm accessions capable of increasing yield. Eight accessions of S. habrochaites Knapp & Spooner, two of S. pimpinellifolium L. and the commercial checks 'Maxifort' and 'Multifort' (S. habrochaites x S. lycopersicum) were evaluated as rootstocks, and 'El Cid' and 'Sun7705' as scions. A randomized complete block design with three replications and 10 plants per experimental unit were used, wherein the treatments consisted of the rootstock/graft combinations. Twelve variables were measured and statistical differences were observed between treatments in most of them. The outstanding rootstocks combined with 'El Cid' were the collections LA2409, LA1223, LA2158, LA1777, LA2167 and LA1576, these improved the yield in 17% average; LA2409, LA1223, GH08 and LA0373 with 'Sun 7705' increased productivity by 24% and surpassed commercial rootstocks by up to 41%. There are wild relatives of the cultivated tomato with potential to be used as a rootstock, since they improve fruit yield in comparison with the ungrafted and self-grafted plants. The accessions LA2409 and LA1223 showed stability in both scions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tomato is a major crop worldwide and is one of the five most consumed vegetables in Germany. Stemphylium species including S. eturmiunum, S. gracilariae, S. lycii, S. lycopersici, S. rombundicum, S. simmonsii, S. solani, and S. vesicarium have been identified as tomato pathogens in various countries. In Germany, multiple instances of S. lycopersici and S. solani affecting tomato plants have been documented; however, only one incident of S. vesicarium has been reported in 1972. S. vesicarium is known to cause yellowish-brown spots on tomato leaves, which can ultimately lead to defoliation and reduced fruit yield. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the S. vesicarium that cause this disease accurately. In this study, S. vesicarium was isolated from necrotic tomato plants in organic farms located in northern and southern regions of Germany. Single spore isolates were generated and identified as S. vesicarium based on morphological characteristic and molecular analyses using nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Koch´s postulates were fulfilled and revealed that S. vesicarium is the causal agent of brown spot on the samples adding a new account of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the second most important vegetable crop after potatoes, and global demands have been steadily increasing in recent years. Conventional and modern breeding techniques have been applied to breed and domesticate tomato varieties to meet the need for higher yield or superior agronomical traits that allow them to sustain under different climatic conditions. In the current study, we applied bulk population breeding by crossing eight tomato accessions procured from the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center with three heat-resistant tomato inbred lines from Vietnam and generated ten elite tomato (ET) lines in the F8 generation. The individual F8 lines exhibited robust vigor and adaptability to climatic conditions of North Vietnam. Among the ten lines, ET1 and ET3 displayed indeterminate growth. ET2 showed semi-determinate, while all the other lines had determinate growth. The different ET lines showed distinctive superior agronomical traits, including early maturing (ET4, ET7, and ET10), highly efficient fruit set (ET1), higher yield (ET1, ET8, ET10), jointless pedicels (ET2), and partial parthenocarpy (ET9). Molecular analysis revealed that the ET3 line consisted of Ty-1 and Ty-3 loci that positively contribute to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus resistance in tomato plants. The elite tomato lines developed in this study would contribute significantly to the Vietnamese and Asian gene pool for improved tomato production and would be a valuable resource for various breeding goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the yield and some quality characteristics of 20 beef tomato lines at the F6 stage. As a result, the total yield, average fruit weight, fruit length, and fruit width of the lines varied between 6.60-14.93 t/da, 200.80-384.00 g, 53.68-75.05 mm, and 71.95-98.29 mm respectively. Furthermore, it was found that the fruit flesh firmness values of the tomato lines used in the study varied between 0.41-1.32 kg/cm²; brix values between 6.10-9.60%; vitamin C values between 20.03-25.57 mg/100 g; total phenolic contents between 13.28-30.72 mg/100 g; lycopene contents between 4.69-9.68 mg/100 g and beta-carotene contents between 0.83-2.17 mg/100 g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato accessions collected from different sources were evaluated to study their diversity, genotype–traits association, as well as pinpoint most selective trait(s) in a controlled environment in Jimma, Ethiopia. The two terms pot experiments were carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The genotype–trait (GT) biplot revealed high percentage variability above 70% in related growth traits for the first and second principal components (PC) summed up, in the two trials, whereas related floral and fruit traits association indicated medium to high (55%–65%) total explained variations in both seasons. It further showed that 'wild parent', 'CLN2498D', 'CLN2498F', 'UC Dan India', 'Ruma', 'PT4722A', 'CLN2679F', 'CLN2585C' and 'CLN2585D' were the best performers in most of the related growth, floral, and fruit traits in those seasons. Principal component analysis showed that traits, such as plant height, number of branches, leaves, nodes, internodes, stem girth, style length, stigma length and diameter, flower length and width, number of flowers per truss, number of fruits per truss, and fruit weight per plant, in the first dimension were positively related to yield and consistent with high loading factors in both seasons and could be underpinned highly important in breeding for increased fruit yield. Clustering and its comparison of means showed that 'CLN2498D', 'PT4722A', 'Ruma', 'Tropimech', and 'UC Dan India' of cluster I in both trials expressed the best traits including related growth, floral, and fruit traits. Therefore, selection for any trait would favor accessions in this cluster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low light is one of the most important factors limiting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production. In this experiment, tomato genotypes under low light (winter planting), and adequate light (summer planting) were evaluated in the same greenhouse condition for other environmental conditions where 11 tolerance and susceptibility indices were evaluated in terms of fruit weight per plant produced. Using the rank of each genotype for the calculated indices, the mean rank index was calculated. The highest yield under adequate light was in genotypes "9318," "9314," "2216," "324," and "5239." Under low light, genotypes "321," "9318," "9314," "523," and "324" had the highest fruit yield per plant, respectively. Evaluation of tolerance and sensitivity indices indicated that tolerance indices, geometric mean productivity index, mean relative performance index and relative efficiency index had a positive, significant, correlation with fruit weight per plant in low light and adequate light are the best indicators for selecting genotypes tolerant to low light. Based on these indices, genotypes "9318," "9314," "321," "324," and "523" had the highest ranks and more tolerance to low light, and might be successfully cultivated in low light areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron (B) is an essential nutrient for the plant, and its stress (both deficiency and toxicity) are major problems that affect crop production. Ethylene metabolism (both signaling and production) is important to plants' differently responding to nutrient availability. To better understand the connections between B and ethylene, here we investigate the function of ethylene in the responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants to B stress (deficiency, 0 μM and toxicity, 640 μM), using ethylene related mutants, namely nonripening (nor), ripening-inhibitor (rin), never ripe (Nr), and epinastic (Epi). Our results show that B stress does not necessarily inhibit plant growth, but both B stress and ethylene signaling severely affected physiological parameters, such as photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll a fluorescence. Under B toxicity, visible symptoms of toxicity appeared in the roots and margins of the older leaves through necrosis, caused by the accumulation of B which stimulated ethylene biosynthesis in the shoots. Both nor and rin (ethylene signaling) mutants presented similar responses, being these genotypes more sensitive and displaying several morphophysiological alterations, including fruit productivity reductions, in response to the B toxicity conditions. Therefore, our results suggest that physiological and metabolic changes in response to B fluctuations are likely mediated by ethylene signaling. • Vegetative growth is differentially affected by Boron levels in ethylene mutants. • Ethylene mutants adjust root morphology in response to distinct Boron levels. • Boron influences ethylene-mediated N accumulation and metabolism. • Boron affects ethylene production and perception in WT and ethylene mutants. • Ethylene overproduction and B toxicity induce loss in post-harvest quality in tomato fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light is one of the most important factors modulating processes and sequences in plants life, like fruit ripening and the concentrations of water and lipid soluble antioxidants. The aim of this work was to evaluate the most effective frequency of low irradiance light pulses (LP) during the night and to analyze its effect on plant and fruit growth, as well as on modifications of concentrations of soluble sugar, amino acids, antioxidants and organic acids. LP of 15 min each were applied over the plants in a temperature controlled greenhouse after fruit set till they turned to mature red, with a frequency of 2 and 4 h. LP induced no changes in the typical maturation indexes such as soluble solid, total acidity, pH or firmness; meanwhile there was an 18% increase in fruit yield when plants were exposed to 15 min LP every 2 h during the night. Furthermore, by analyzing the tomato cluster receiving this LP treatment separately, the biomass of the fruit was found to have increased by 28% compared with the same cluster in control plants. In coincidence with this, fruit treated with a frequency of 2 and 4 h LP showed an increase in lycopene concentration, concomitantly with a rise in the proportion of red mature fruit harvested from the whole plant. On the other hand, there was a drop in the concentration of soluble sugars and free amino acids, possibly conducing to a decrease in water soluble antioxidants (ascorbic acid and glutathione) and citric and malic acids concentration. Overall, these results showed that nocturnal LP treatments improved fruit yield in tomato plants with higher amounts of lycopene, which indicate earlier fruit ripening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water availability is a limiting factor to plant development and productivity. Many drought‐induced physiological processes that affect patterns of growth, biomass allocation, and ultimately, yield, are also regulated by the red/far‐red photoreceptor phytochromes (PHYs). However, as the mechanisms and responses to drought stress vary among plant developmental phases, it is reasonable to conjecture that PHY‐dependent morphophysiological responses to drought may be different according to the plant growth stage. In this study, we submitted tomato phyB1 mutant plants to water deficit in two distinct growth stages, during vegetative and flower‐bearing reproductive phases, comparing the morphophysiological development, fruit yield and quality to wild‐type (WT). In general, phyB1 plants overcome growth limitations imposed by water availability limitations during vegetative phase, being taller and leafier than WT. Restrictions to growth are less acute for both genotypes when water deficit occurs during reproductive phase compared to vegetative phase. phyB1 yield is lower when water is limited during reproductive phase, but its fruits accumulate more soluble solids, associated with better quality. These results highlight that drought‐induced modulations in tomato growth and yield are dependent upon PHYB1 regulation and the developmental phase when water deficit is applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrids show better performance than varieties in terms of yield and quality. Heterosis breeding provides a way to develop hybrids to uplift yield and quality. In the current study, 21 hybrids generated through line × tester mating design were evaluated along with the standard check, Arka Rakshak, in a randomized block design to investigate the magnitude of standard heterosis. Significant difference was observed among the genotypes pertaining to days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), fruits per plant, fruit weight (g), fruit girth (cm) and seeds per fruit. Estimation of standard heterosis in desirable direction was identified for all characters. NTL-14-08 × DVRT-2, NTL-14-08 × GT-6 and NTL-14- 08 × GT-7 are the top three crosses that showed higher positive standard heterosis for fruit yield per plant (kg). The heterotic response in hybrids for different characters is in general agreement with the per se performance of hybrids. Phenotypic correlation study indicated that the number of fruits per plant is positively correlated with fruit yield per plant and negatively correlated with days to 50% flowering with significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We screened four strains (Burkholderia sp. St-A, and Pseudomonas spp. St-B, St-C, and St-D) from 21 bacterial isolates isolated tomato cultivation fields based on their plant growth-promoting traits. Then, tomato ('Micro-Tom') seedlings inoculated with each of the four selected strains were grown under non-salinity and salinity (NaCl) treatment conditions. Under non-salinity conditions, St-C and St-D strains increased the total biomass of roots, stems, and leaves and fruit yield. Under NaCl treatment conditions, St-B, St-C, and St-D strains increased total biomass and fruit yield. In roots, Na content was not suppressed, but K, P, and water content were increased by bacterial inoculations. Correlation analysis showed a significant and positive relationship between fruit yield and root under both non-salinity and salinity conditions. This indicates that the maintenance of homeostasis and water relations in roots may contribute to the improvement of plant growth, including root and fruit yield, under salinity conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity is often heterogeneous, but plant response to uneven salt distributions in the vertical direction (USDVD) of the root-zone under buried straw layer is seldom studied in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.var. Yazhoufenwang). Our objective in this study was to evaluate the effects of USDVD under a buried straw layer on changes in water consumption, root distribution, yield, fruit quality, K + , Na + , Ca 2+ concentrations of leaves and fruits as well as stable carbon isotopic compositions (δ 13 C) of leaves for tomato plants grown in the greenhouse. To achieve this objective, pot experiments were conducted from April to July in 2014 and 2015. The treatments, T 1:1 , T 1:5 , T 2:4 and T 3:3 , were established by setting the upper soil layer with EC 1:5 (the electrical conductivity of a 1:5 dry soil: water mixture) 0.38 ms cm −1 , 0.38 ms cm −1 , 0.76 ms cm −1 and 1.14 ms cm −1 , respectively, and the lower soil layer with EC 1:5 0.38 ms cm −1 , 1.90 ms cm −1 , 1.52 ms cm −1 , and 1.14 ms cm −1 , respectively. In addition, a capillary barrier, made of straw, at a depth of 17 cm and with a thickness of 3 cm, was set between the upper and lower soil profile. The roots could penetrate through the straw layer, even though the soil salinity in the lower soil layer was relatively high (T 1:5 ). Compared to equal salinity distribution treatments (T 1:1 and T 3:3 ), there was a significant compensatory water uptake and root growth from the low salinity soil profile under USDVD treatments (T 1:5 and T 2:4 ). In 2014, the water consumption and root density in the upper soil layer under USDVD treatments (T 1:5 and T 2:4 ) were 1.20 times and 1.38 times those of the equal salinity distribution treatments (T 1:1 and T 3:3 ), respectively. The Na + concentrations of leaves for T 1:5 and T 2:4 were 15.1% and 48.9% of T 3:3 , respectively, whereas the K + concentrations of leaves for T 1:5 and T 2:4 were 2.1 times and 1.4 times that of T 3:3 , respectively, resulting in significantly higher K + /Na + ratios for T 1:5 (10.17) and T 2:4 (2.06) than T 3:3 (0.72); the δ 13 C value of T 3:3 (−28.46) was significantly higher than that of T 1:5 (−29.17), whereas there was no significant difference for δ 13 C between T 1:5 and T 1:1 (−29.12). Across the two years, the average yields of T 1:5 , T 2:4 and T 3:3 were 20.3%, 47.1%, and 64.9% lower than that of T 1:1 , respectively, whereas the soluble sugar contents of the fruits in T 1:5 , T 2:4 and T 3:3 were 21.3%, 76.5% and 97.6% higher than that of T 1:1 . The overall results suggest that the USDVD treatments under a buried straw layer could relieve the salt stress and benefit the quality and quantity of tomato plants grown in saline soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomatoes (Lycopersicun esculentum L.) are an important group of vegetable crops that have high economical and nutritional value. The use of fertilizers and appropriate substrates is one of the important strategies that can assist in increasing the yield and quality of fruits. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous seaweed extract (Nizamuddinia zanardinii), silicon (Na2SiO3), and selenium (Na2SeO3) on quality attributes and fruit yield (FY) of tomato under palm peat + perlite and coco peat + perlite substrates. Seaweed extract significantly improved several of the fruit quality attributes such as total carbohydrate content, total soluble solids (TSS), and pH as well as the FY. The results showed that silicon (Si) (75 mg) was the best foliar spray treatment to enhance the fruit firmness (30.46 N), fruit volume (196.8 cm3), and FY (3320.5 g). The highest amount of plant yield (3429.33 g) was obtained by the interaction effects of silicon (75 mg L-1) under the effect of palm peat. The use of selenium (Se) led to improvements in flavor index (TSS/TA). Also, the application of palm peat + perlite substrate caused an increase in vitamin C (16.62 mg/100g FW), compared to other substrates (14.27 mg/100g FW). The present study suggested that foliar spray with seaweed extract and Si had beneficial effects on the quality and FY of tomatoes. Also, the palm peat substrate can be used as a good alternative to the coco peat substrate in the hydroponic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome the scarcity of fresh water, researchers have turned to investigating different techniques that enable using saline water to irrigate crops, aiming to increase the efficiency of using available water resources. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to investigate the yield responses of grafted and non-grafted (self-rooted) tomato plants grown hydroponically under three levels of water salinity (2.5, 6.0, and 9.5 dS m−1). Three tomato varieties (Ghandowra-F1, Forester-F1, and Feisty-Red) were grafted onto five rootstocks (Maxifort, Unifort, Dynafort, Vivifort, and Beaufort). The implemented treatments were studied in terms of tomato fruit yield and quality parameters. Although increasing the concentration of salts in the nutrient solution led to a decrease in fruit yield, the moderate salinity level (S-2: 6.0 dS m−1) showed its superiority over both low salinity (S-1: 2.5 dS m−1) and high salinity (S-3: 9.5 dS m−1) in terms of tomato yield parameters. The studied rootstocks did not significantly improve the tomato fruit yield, but the interaction between the grafting combinations and salinity was significant for both production and quality. More specifically, tomato plants grafted onto the rootstocks "Vivifort and Beaufort" rendered the highest yield at a low salinity level (S-1: 2.5 dS m−1) and a moderate salinity level (S-2: 6.0 dS m−1), respectively, while at high salinity (S-3: 9.5 dS m−1), grafting did not improve tomato productivity, irrespective of the rootstock. These results confirm that tomatoes can be successfully grown under hydroponic systems using salinity levels of up to 6.0 dS m−1 without sacrificing fruit yield and quality. Among the studied tomato varieties, Feisty-Red was found to be appropriate for hydroponic production. The results also demonstrated that Vivifort and Beaufort rootstocks are suitable for grafting hydroponic tomatoes under low and moderate salinity levels, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genes encoding HKT1-like Na+ transporters play a key role in the salinity tolerance mechanism in Arabidopsis and other plant species by retrieving Na+ from the xylem of different organs and tissues. In this study, we investigated the role of two HKT1;2 allelic variants in tomato salt tolerance in relation to vegetative growth and fruit yield in plants subjected to salt treatment in a commercial greenhouse under real production conditions. We used two near-isogenic lines (NILs), homozygous for either the Solanum lycopersicum (NIL17) or S. cheesmaniae (NIL14) allele, at HKT1;2 loci and their respective RNAi- Sl/ScHKT1;2 lines. The results obtained show that both ScHKT1;2 - and SlHKT1;2 -silenced lines display hypersensitivity to salinity associated with an altered leaf Na+/K+ ratio, thus confirming that HKT1;2 plays an important role in Na+ homeostasis and salinity tolerance in tomato. Both silenced lines also showed Na + over-accumulation and a slight, but significant, reduction in K+ content in the flower tissues of salt-treated plants and consequently a higher Na+/K+ ratio as compared to the respective unsilenced lines. This altered Na+/K+ ratio in flower tissues is associated with a sharp reduction in fruit yield, measured as total fresh weight and number of fruits, in both silenced lines under salinity conditions. Our findings demonstrate that Na+ transporter HKT1;2 protects the flower against Na+ toxicity and mitigates the reduction in tomato fruit yield under salinity conditions. • Role of SlHKT1;2/ScHKT1;2 in tomato salt tolerance in terms of vegetative growth and fruit yield in a commercial greenhouse. • Two NILs, homozygous for SlHKT1;2 and ScHKT1;2, and their respective Sl/ScHKT1;2 -RNAi-lines were used. • SlHKT1,2 and ScHKT1,2 Na+ transporters prevent Na+ over-accumulation in leaf tissues. • Sl/ScHKT1; 2 Na+ transporters mitigate reductions in fruit yields by reducing floral sodium content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy irrigation and soil compaction cause hypoxic stress in plant roots, which limits crop growth. This issue can be solved by root-zone aeration, but the photophysiological responses of crop plants to the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in irrigation water remain unclear. Here, a greenhouse plot experiment was conducted to investigate the changes in leaf photosynthesis and plant growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. 'Omanda 3′) under aerated irrigation with various DO concentrations. Plants were treated with three different levels of aeration: 5 mg L–1 DO (conventional subsurface irrigation as a non-aeration control), 15 mg L–1 DO (low aeration treatment), and 30 mg L–1 DO (high aeration treatment). Compared with the control, the aeration treatments promoted electron transport from the primary to secondary plastoquinone acceptors (Q A to Q B) of photosystem II (PSII) and increased leaf net photosynthetic rate in plants at the seedling, fruit expansion, and maturation stages. The opposite effects of aeration treatments were observed at the flowering and fruit-setting stage. The enhancement of leaf photosynthetic performance contributed to improved plant growth, fruit yield, and quality of tomato as a result of increased oxygen supply in the root zone. The aeration treatments additionally facilitated the biosynthesis and transport of photosynthetic carbon assimilates in plant tissues, as evidenced by increased starch and sucrose contents in the leaves and sucrose content in the roots. However, under the high aeration level, excessive transport of sucrose from leaves to roots hindered further improvements in tomato yield and biomass at the maturation stage. Based on plant photophysiological and yield performance, aerated irrigation with a low concentration of DO (15 mg L–1) is recommended for greenhouse tomato crops during the seedling, fruit expansion, and maturation stages, and there is no need of root-zone aeration at the flowering and fruit-setting stage. • Oxygenated irrigation increased the net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance during the growth period. • Oxygenated irrigation promotes the synthesis and transport of photosynthetic carbon assimilates in leaves. • The excessive transport of sucrose to the roots under high oxygen levels can affect the growth of tomato aboveground parts. • The improvement of photosynthetic performance of tomato leaves promotes the growth of aboveground parts of plants. • 15 mg L–1 DO is recommended for tomato during the growth period, except for the flowering and fruit-setting stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blossom-end rot (BER) is a physiological disorder related to calcium (Ca) deficiency in tomato fruits. However, adequate Ca supply is not sufficient to inhibit the BER incidence. The Ni-Ca interaction has increased the Ca content in Ni hyperaccumulators plants. However, studies with commercial plants are still incipient. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of Ni-Ca interaction in tomato plants, focusing on yield and incidence of BER. We carried out two trials. The first trial two Ca doses was used: sufficient Ca 0.70 g kg−1 (Ca S) and deficient Ca 0,35 g kg−1 (Ca D) and; four Ni doses applied via substrate (0.0; 0.5; 1.0 and; 2.0 mg kg−1). In the second trial, the same Ca doses of the first trial and four doses of Ni (0.0; 0.08; 0.42 and; 0.84 mM) applied, via foliar, at the beginning of flowering were used. We verified that the Ni-Ca interaction increased the tomato fruits yield, the shoot calcium accumulation reduced the BER incidence and increased the time of fruit color change (green to red). Even under stressed conditions such as a low Ca availability. Both Ni application ways showed positive results for fruit yield and decreased BER incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit bagging protects fruits from pest infestation and multiple biotic and abiotic stresses during development without reducing yield. It also can potentially improve the quality and market value of fruits. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the effect of pre-harvest fruit bagging on the yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cv. BARI Tomato-2. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications that constituted the various treatments-T0: Control (no bagging), T1: White paper bag (single layer), T2: Brown paper bag (double layer), T3: Non-woven fabric bag, and T4: Jute bag from October 2021 to March 2022. The results showed that the non-woven fabric bag had the highest fruit length (57.79 mm), diameter (57.81 mm), number of fruits plant-1 (55.9), yield (4.06 kg plant-1), vitamin C (24.63mg/ 100g-1), and lycopene content (0.12 mg g-1). The maximum insect incidence (18.41%) was recorded in control and the minimum was counted in T3 (2.17%). The highest total soluble solid (6.73%0Brix) and dry matter (8.63%) were observed in a white paper bag. The highest mean color score (6.08), firmness (26.81%), and shelf life (13 days) found in fabric bags outperformed non-bagged fruits. The fabric bag showed maximum net income (21.12 TK) and the highest benefit: cost ratio (2.36). Thus, the fabric bag was the best for improving the physical and chemical qualities of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) among the various fruitcovering materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is a major threat to the productivity of agroecosystems as it affects the soil structure and the osmotic potential of the soil solution, resulting in nutritional imbalances, Na toxicity and reduction in crop growth and yield. As Silicon (Si) has been considered a beneficial element for alleviating plant stress, the present study was performed to determine if it could enhance tomato plant tolerance to NaCl-salinity in a closed-loop hydroponic system. Plants were irrigated with solutions containing 0, 20 or 60mM NaCl combined with 0 or 1.50mM Si. Shoot dry weight and fruit yield decreased with salinity, however, Si partially restored biomass and yield when the solutions contained 20mM NaCl. Shoot and root K decreased with salinity, however, supplementary Si restored K in plants with 60mM NaCl. Root and shoot Si was unaffected by NaCl or Si, however, shoot Na increased. Nonetheless, compared to non-Si plants, Sitreated plants showed a 19% and 32% lower shoot Na concnetration in 20 and 60mM NaCl-plants, respectively. Silicon partly alleviated the K/Na imbalance caused by salinity. Increased shoot K/Na and Ca/Na balances were correlated with higher shoot biomass. Supplemental Si allowed an 80% increase in peroxidase activity and proline in plants with 60mM NaCl. Fruit yield under moderate salinity was partially restored by Si, due to an increased root Na exclusion, lower shoot Na, and improved K, Ca and K/Na balance, which was correlated with increased shoot growth, POD activity and proline concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium plays a key role in the survival of plants under saline conditions in mitigating the adverse effects of sodium. The effect of application of potassium to soil (0, 3.3, and 6.6 mmol/kg) and leaves (4.5 and 9 mM) on tomato yield and quality under 3 salinity treatments (0, 7.5, and 15 dS m-1), using 2 salt-tolerant (Indent-1 and Nagina) and 2 salt-sensitive (Peto-86 and Red Ball) genotypes, was studied in a pot experiment. Salinity decreased growth and yield of all genotypes; however, salt-tolerant genotypes maintained better growth and produced higher yield than the salt-sensitive genotypes across all salinity levels. Potassium application positively affected plant growth and yield, especially in salt-tolerant genotypes. Fruit quality characteristics (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, dry matter %) were significantly improved by increasing salinity, except for fruit size. Soil and foliar K had nonsignificant differences between them; however, there were significant effects on the fruit quality, as all characteristics increased at higher K concentrations under salinity stress. It was concluded that the application of potassium increases yield and quality of tomato fruits in saline soil, and it could be used as an effective practice to produce even a salt-sensitive species like tomato under saline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The blending (BI), alternate (AI) and cycling irrigation (CI) improved soil quality. • There was no distinct difference in soil properties among the BI, AI and CI. • The AI was more efficient than the BI and CI in improving crop yields. • Fruit quality was generally improved by the AI compared to freshwater irrigation. Abstract Saline water has been increasingly used for crop production in areas characterized by freshwater shortage. However, continuous irrigation with saline water often results in adverse effects on the soil-crop system. In this study, we investigated the effects of different saline water irrigation strategies on soil properties, tomato plant growth, fruit yield and fruit quality. The irrigation treatments included (i) continuous irrigation with freshwater (FI), (ii) continuous irrigation with saline water (SI), (iii) irrigation with the saline water blended with freshwater (BI), (iv) irrigation alternately with saline water and freshwater (AI), and (v) irrigation with freshwater at early sensitive stages combined with saline water at later tolerant stages (CI). Overall, saline water irrigation adversely affected the soil-crop system by increasing pH, electrical conductivity, salt ions (Na+, Cl− and SO 4 2-) and sodium adsorption ratio in soils and Na+ in plant tissues, and by decreasing K+/Na+ in both soils and plant tissues, the relative growth rates of plant height and leaf area, plant biomass and fruit yield (compare SI versus FI). However, these adverse effects of saline water on the soil-crop system were generally alleviated by the BI, AI and CI treatments compared to the SI treatment. Despite this, there was no distinct difference in soil properties among the BI, AI and CI treatments. The AI treatment generally showed higher fruit yield as compared to the BI and CI treatments, and even no significant difference as compared to the FI treatment in two out of three cropping seasons. In addition, the AI treatment significantly increased vitamin C, soluble sugar and solids, glucose, fructose and sucrose in tomato fruits as compared to the FI treatment. Our results suggested that the alternate irrigation (AI) was more efficient than the blending (BI) and cycling (CI) irrigation in alleviating the adverse effects of saline water on the soil-crop system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Witches' broom disease of cacao is caused by the pathogenic fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa. By using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivar Micro-Tom (MT) as a model system, we investigated the physiological and metabolic consequences of M. perniciosa infection to determine whether symptoms result from sink establishment during infection. Infection of MT by M. perniciosa caused reductions in root biomass and fruit yield, a decrease in leaf gas exchange, and down-regulation of photosynthesis-related genes. The total leaf area and water potential decreased, while ABA levels, water conductance/conductivity, and ABA-related gene expression increased. Genes related to sugar metabolism and those involved in secondary cell wall deposition were up-regulated upon infection, and the concentrations of sugars, fumarate, and amino acids increased. 14C-glucose was mobilized towards infected MT stems, but not in inoculated stems of the MT line overexpressing CYTOKININ OXIDASE-2 (35S::AtCKX2), suggesting a role for cytokinin in establishing a sugar sink. The up-regulation of genes involved in cell wall deposition and phenylpropanoid metabolism in infected MT, but not in 35S::AtCKX2 plants, suggests establishment of a cytokinin-mediated sink that promotes tissue overgrowth with an increase in lignin. Possibly, M. perniciosa could benefit from the accumulation of secondary cell walls during its saprotrophic phase of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plant biostimulants are organic products primarily based on algae, microorganisms, fulvic and humic acids, proteins, and amino acids, which improve physiological plant performance, leading to increased crop productivity. In this work, commercial algae extract of Ascophyllum nodosum were sprayed on Sweet Heaven mini tomato variety [algae extract 0.5 L ha−1 (AE1) and 2 L ha−1 (AE2); aqueous solution prepared with A. nodosum powder at 1% (w/v) (DA1) and 3% (w/v) (DA2)] growing under greenhouse conditions. Results: Algae treatment significantly affected the yield, diameter, length, color, and Brix degree of the fruits. Fruit volume and weight and the number of cracked fruits did not change. The treatment of mini tomato plants with DA1 led to a higher fruit yield compared to other treatments and untreated plants. Conclusion: Therefore, A. nodosum extract can be an interesting sustainable practice to increase the productivity of mini tomatoes growing under protected conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased productivity, nutritional quality, and pest resistance have been primary breeding goals. However, managing such increases in a genotype is challenging. In this context, gene introgression using dwarf plants is an alternative; however, there are no dwarf Santa Cruz tomato varieties for direct use in breeding programs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to improve fruit quality and pest resistance through successive backcrossing of dwarf Santa Cruz tomato populations with agronomic potential. Six and 13 dwarf tomato populations obtained from the first and second backcrossing, respectively, the donor parent, and the commercial cultivar 'Santa Clara' as the check, totalling 21 treatments, were evaluated. Univariate analysis and computational intelligence were used to evaluate the best genotypes. All agronomic variables showed significant and progressive increases after the first and second backcrossing. The highlighted BC2 populations were Sci#16.1-2, Sci#25.1,1-2, Sci#25.1,2-2, Sci#3.1,1-2, Sci#3.1,2-2, Sci#8.3,1-2, and Sci#8.3,2-2, with significant increases in mean fruit weight, pulp thickness, fruit length and diameter, and acyl sugar content. The selected BC2 populations can be used as male parents to obtain normal hybrids to achieve increased productivity, nutritional quality, and a broader spectrum of pest resistance owing to the presence of acyl sugars in the leaflets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The separate and combined effect of lithovit-urea50 and bioumik was tested on salt-stressed tomato crops. Salinity was induced using three different NaCl solutions (2, 4 and 8 dS m-1). Under the salinity effect, all aspects of plant growth were inhibited. Total chlorophyll and carotenoids reduced from mg g-1 FW and 1.1 mg g-1 FW at 2 dS m-1 to reach 1.01 mg g-1 FW and 0.66 mg g-1 FW at 8 dS m-1 in control plants. Plants treated by the combination of both products had the highest chlorophyll and carotenoids content with 2.24 mg g-1 FW and 1.34 mg g-1 FW, 1.88 mg g-1 FW and 1.05 mg g-1 FW, and 1.39 mg g-1 FW and 0.86 mg g-1 FW respectively at 2, 4 and 8 dS m-1. Treating plants by this combination maximized flower number, fruit weight, yield and fruit diameter at 2 dS m-1 (17 flowers, 47.93 g, 431.1 g plant-1 and 3.23 cm respectively) and 4 dS m-1 (15flowers, 36.45 g, 291.85 g plant-1 and 2.8 cm respectively). The separate application of bioumik minimized cell electrolyte leakage at 2 dS m-1 (8.82%) compared to control (11.43%). Additionally, plants treated by lithovit-urea and bioumik had the highest relative water content with 107.3%, 96.5% and 91.2% respectively at 2, 4 and 8 dS m-1. N, Ca and Mg in roots were significantly the highest at 2 dS m-1 (4.5%, 2.6% and 0.5% respectively), at 4 dS m-1 (3.74%, 2.49% and 0.48% respectively) and at 8 dS m-1 (3.21%, 2.61% and 0.32% respectively). K content in roots was maximized following the separate application of bioumik with 3.21% at 2 dS m-1 and 2.55% at 8 dS m-1. Conclusively, lithovit-urea and bioumik helped plants in tolerating salt-stress with an optimal effect obtained after their combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]