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The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an annual vegetable cultivated all over the world. It faces biotic and abiotic stresses, such as salinity, in arid and semiarid regions. Investigating the relationship between physiological and economic traits, such as fruit yield, under stress conditions is necessary to identify tolerant genotypes. This study was conducted to identify tolerant tomato families according to the relationship between several important physiological, morphological and phenological traits. Twenty S3 families were cultivated in a factorial experiment (factor1: families and factor2: normal conditions and salinity stress) based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2019. Twenty physiological, agronomic and fruit-quality-related traits were investigated. Analysis of variance was used to prove the existing effective genetic diversity. Genetic diversity and the relationships between traits were graphically shown using heatmap clustering. Finally, genetic parameters, such as Pearson's correlation, trait stability index and heritability were used to calculate the mathematical value of families using the Modified Analytical Hierarchy Process. Families exhibited different behaviours under normal and stress conditions. The tolerant families responded physiologically to the salt stress. Therefore, they reduced both cell membrane degradation and photosynthesis disruption by increasing proline, lycopene, carotenoid and sugar content. Therefore, fewer reductions in morphological traits were observed in these families. The most important traits based on the selection strategy were lycopene content, K+/Na+ ratio, days to flowering and biological yield. In addition, three families, H4/T/30/1, H1/T/12/5 and H1/T/47/4, were selected as the most suitable alternatives to construct the breeding population of the next generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study first presents the development and the experimental validation of a numerical model of a semi-closed greenhouse using a dynamic thermal simulation. The second objective was to identify the influential parameters on the indoor climate and to calculate the heating demand of the greenhouse. The model reproduced the behavior of a full-scale experimental greenhouse in Carquefou (France). The comparison with experimental measurements recorded over an entire season of tomato cultivation validated the numerical model. The result of the simulated energy consumption was 310 kWh/m2/year with a relative error of 3.5%. The parametric study identified that the evapotranspiration power and ventilation rate were the most influential input variables, accounting for 50% and 32%, respectively, of the heating demand. The most sensitive output variable was indoor humidity. The presence of a thermal buffer zone all around the greenhouse reduced the energy consumption by 48%, and thermal/shading screens reduced it by 30%. The final objective was to assess the amount of heat recovery potential over the year and each week, depending on the energy storage strategy. Around 43 kWh/m2/year can be recovered over the year, leading to a potential energy savings of 24%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document presents a study on the technical efficiency of tomato farmers in Punjab, India, specifically focusing on two different production techniques: open field cultivation and bamboo staking culture. The study found that the mean technical efficiency of tomato farmers was 84%, indicating that there is room for improvement. Factors such as access to credit, level of education, and farming experience were found to have a positive and significant impact on technical efficiency. The study suggests that farmers should receive agricultural training, adopt high-yielding and pest-resistant varieties, and utilize cutting-edge technology to increase productivity and efficiency. The government should also provide subsidies and extension services to support farmers in improving their efficiency. [Extracted from the article]

Tomato commodity ranks fifth regarding vegetable export volume and value in Indonesia. The main issues with tomato production in Indonesia are seemingly its lack of variations, quantity, quality, and supply continuity. This study aimed to analyze the comparative and the competitive advantages of tomato farming, evaluate the government policy on inputs, outputs, and input-output sectors, and formulate strategic for transforming the comparative advantage into a competitive advantage. Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) and sensitivity analysis were employed as the method with the 75 farmers as the respondents and their Focus Group Discussion (FGD) involving farmer groups, agricultural extension workers, traders, and the Agricultural Service Offices in the respective regencies. The results showed that tomato farming has both its comparative and competitive advantages. Its comparative advantage was higher than its competitive advantage in both dry and wet seasons. In general, tomato farming's comparative and competitive advantages outside Java were higher than those in Java. Meanwhile, the divergence effects of tomato agribusiness were more beneficial to consumers than producers. It indicates that improving domestic tomato production was more profitable for Indonesia than importing this commodity in terms of domestic resource use. The sensitivity analysis shows that tomato farming was relatively stable regarding productivity and price changes. The suggested strategic policies to apply are transforming tomato farming's comparative advantage into competitive advantage through productivity enhancement, improvement of distribution efficiency, less market distortion, and government incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were the best artificial light source for plant factories. Red light-emitting diodes (LEDs, R) and blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs, B) were used to obtain different light intensities of uniform spectra, and the greenhouse environment was considered as a comparison. The results showed that root dry weight, shoot dry weight and stem diameter were superior in plant growth under 240 μmolm-2s-1, additionally, the Dixon Quality Index (DQI) was also best. Under 240 μmolm-2s-1, the net photosynthesis rate (Pn) was consistent with the greenhouse's treatment, superior to other experimental groups. The results implied that the PPFD was more suitable for the cultivation of tomato seedlings under the condition of 240 μmolm-2s-1, and can replace the greenhouse conditions so as to save energy and reduce emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improvement of the simulation accuracy of crop models in different greenhouse environments would be better applied to the automation management of greenhouse cultivation. Tomatoes under drip irrigation in a greenhouse were taken as the research object, and the cumulative evaporation capacity (Ep) of the 20 cm standard evaporation dish was taken as the basis for irrigation. Three treatments were set up in the experiment: high water treatment without mulch (NM-0.9 Ep), high water treatment with mulch (M-0.9 Ep), and low water treatment with mulch (M-0.5 Ep). AquaCrop and DSSAT models were used to simulate the canopy coverage, soil water content, biomass, and yield of the tomatoes. Data from 2020 were used to correct the model, and simulation results from 2021 were analyzed in this paper. The results showed that: (1) Of the two crop models, the simulation accuracy of the greenhouse tomato canopy coverage kCC was higher, and the root mean square errors were less than 6.8% (AquaCrop model) and 8.5% (DSSAT model); (2) The AquaCrop model could accurately simulate soil water change under high water treatments, while the DSSAT model was more suitable for the conditions without mulch; (3) The relative error RE of simulated and observed values for biomass B, yield Y, and water use efficiency WUE in the AquaCrop model were less than 2.0%, 2.3%, and 9.0%, respectively, while those of the DSSAT model were less than 4.7%, 7.6%, and 10.4%, respectively; (4) Considering the simulation results of each index comprehensively, the AquaCrop model was superior to the DSSAT model; subsequently, the former was used to predict 16 different water and film coating treatments (S1–S16). It was found that the greenhouse tomato yield and WUE were the highest under S7 (0.8 Ep), at 8.201 t/ha and 2.79 kg/m3, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of tomato diseases has substantially reduced agricultural output and financial losses. The timely detection of diseases is crucial to effectively manage and mitigate the impact of episodes. Early illness detection can improve output, reduce chemical use, and boost a nation's economy. A complete system for plant disease detection using EfficientNetV2B2 and deep learning (DL) is presented in this paper. This research aims to develop a precise and effective automated system for identifying several illnesses that impact tomato plants. This will be achieved by analyzing tomato leaf photos. A dataset of high-resolution photographs of healthy and diseased tomato leaves was created to achieve this goal. The EfficientNetV2B2 model is the foundation of the deep learning system and excels at picture categorization. Transfer learning (TF) trains the model on a tomato leaf disease dataset using EfficientNetV2B2's pre-existing weights and a 256-layer dense layer. Tomato leaf diseases can be identified using the EfficientNetV2B2 model and a dense layer of 256 nodes. An ideal loss function and algorithm train and tune the model. Next, the concept is deployed in smartphones and online apps. The user can accurately diagnose tomato leaf diseases with this application. Utilizing an automated system facilitates the rapid identification of diseases, assisting in making informed decisions on disease management and promoting sustainable tomato cultivation practices. The 5-fold cross-validation method achieved 99.02% average weighted training accuracy, 99.22% average weighted validation accuracy, and 98.96% average weighted test accuracy. The split method achieved 99.93% training accuracy and 100% validation accuracy. Using the DL approach, tomato leaf disease identification achieves nearly 100% accuracy on a test dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the complex landscape of viral infections in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) using available transcriptome data. We conducted a virome analysis, revealing 219 viral contigs linked to four distinct viruses: tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), southern tomato virus (STV), tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Among these, ToCV predominated in contig count, followed by STV, TYLCV, and CMV. A notable finding was the prevalence of coinfections, emphasizing the concurrent presence of multiple viruses in tomato plants. Despite generally low viral levels in fruit transcriptomes, STV emerged as the primary virus based on viral read count. We delved deeper into viral abundance and the contributions of RNA segments to replication. While initially focused on studying the impact of sound treatment on tomato fruit transcriptomes, the unexpected viral presence underscores the importance of considering viruses in plant research. Geographical variations in virome communities hint at potential forensic applications. Phylogenetic analysis provided insights into viral origins and genetic diversity, enhancing our understanding of the Korean tomato virome. In conclusion, this study advances our knowledge of the tomato virome, stressing the need for robust pest control in greenhouse-grown tomatoes and offering insights into virus management and crop protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosaic diseases caused by tobamoviruses have posed significant threats to tomato production. In this review, we overview studies of tomato mosaic diseases published over the past century, which have led to several important discoveries in plant virology, such as the application of attenuated strains. A resistance breeding program established in the 1970s successfully controlled tomato mosaic virus for over 40 years; however, newly emerging tobamoviruses are posing serious challenges in current tomato production. We introduce recent biotechnological attempts to engineer tobamovirus-resistant tomato plants, which offer promising technologies for eradicating the current outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grafted tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production is popular, particularly in high tunnels, because grafted plants can mitigate soilborne disease incidence in highly infested soils and increase water and nutrient use efficiency and crop yield and quality. However, these potential benefits are not as well documented in open field production systems with less disease pressure. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of tomato grafting on fruit yield, number, and size across 2 years (2018 and 2019) and three diverse open-field production environments in Nebraska (Lincoln, North Platte, and Dwight). At each location, a scion from one of two determinant fresh market tomatoes, ‘Nebraska Wedding’ (heirloom) or ‘BHN 589’ (commercial hybrid), were grafted onto one of two rootstocks, ‘Estamino’ and ‘Maxifort,’ and the nongrafted scion cultivars were controls. In year 2, a fertilizer treatment was introduced (0 and 50 kg·ha21 N). Ripe tomatoes were harvested weekly, sorted as marketable or cull, counted, and weighed fresh. No marketable or total yield benefits of grafting were observed in 2018 for any scion by rootstock combination across locations. Marketable yield of grafted plants was reduced by 32% in Lincoln. However, grafted ‘Nebraska Wedding’ plants (regardless of rootstock) in North Platte (with coarse-textured, lower organic matter soil) increased fruit number (but not yield) by 50% to 63%. In 2019, grafting ‘BHN 589’ to ‘Maxifort’ increased total tomato yield by 24% across all locations. The heirloom variety Nebraska Wedding did not benefit from grafting in 2019. ‘Estamino’ rootstock did not increase tomato yield, number, or size for either scion variety in either year. Nitrogen fertilizer increased yield as expected in 2019, but grafted plants did not perform better than nongrafted under reduced nitrogen fertility. Results from this study suggest that grafting is not consistently beneficial to ‘BHN 589’ and ‘Nebraska Wedding’ in open field production systems in Nebraska, particularly if there are no known soilborne disease issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to determine: the impact of electric current density on the quantity and quality of sewage sludge produced in anaerobic sequencing bio-electrochemical reactor (AnSBBER) with an iron electrode during the treatment of drainage from soilless cultivation of tomatoes. Direct electric current (DC) effect was determined at its following densities (J): 0.63 A/m2 (R1), 1.25 A/m2 (R2), 2.5 A/m2 (R3), and 5 A/m2 (R4). Sodium acetate in (C:N) ratio of 1.0 was supplied to the reactors to ensure the proper biofilm development. Contents of elements (K, P, S, Na, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, Mg, C, N and Ca) in the biofilm were determined. Additionally, the content of total suspended solids and the percentage share of volatile suspensions (VSS) in the sludge were determined. The study showed that the organic matter content in the sludge corresponded to the values typical of the stabilized sludge (up to 28.8% d.m. in R2). The increase in electric current density caused an increase in the concentration of phosphorus in the formed sludge (from 6.34 to 8.00% d.m. in 0.63 and 5.00 A/m2, respectively). The analyzed sludge, compared to municipal sludge from wastewater treatment plants with biological reactors and activated sludge chambers, is richer in such elements as phosphorus, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and iron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water shortage can be a restrictive factor for the growth and quality of vegetable crops. Considering the alleviating effects of biostimulant application against water stress, this study aimed to investigate the effect of four biostimulant products (protein and amino acids with carboxylic acids (Tr1); protein and amino acids with seaweed extracts (Tr2); humic and fulvic acids with seaweed extracts (Tr3); SiO2 (Tr4); and control (no biostimulants added)) and two irrigation systems (regulated deficit irrigation (RDI)—65% of field capacity and regular irrigation (RI)—100% of field capacity) on quality parameters of processing tomato fruit. Regulated deficit irrigation and biostimulant application increased the energetic value, carbohydrates, and free sugars content, while organic acids showed a variable response to biostimulant use. In terms of tocopherols (α-, β-, γ-, δ-) and carotenoids (lycopene and β-carotene), regular irrigation and biostimulant application negatively affected their content, while Tr3 treatment had a beneficial impact on these lipophilic compounds under RDI conditions. The main fatty acids were palmitic (C16:0) and linoleic (C18:2n6) acids, which increased when plants were treated with Tr3 and Tr1 biostimulants under a deficit regime. Antioxidant activity (assessed by TBARS and OxHLIA assays) and total phenolic and flavonoids content also showed a variable response to the studied factors. In particular, the application of Tr3 and the control treatment under RDI increased the total phenolic content, while the control and Tr3 treatments under the same irrigation regime recorded the highest antioxidant activity. In conclusion, our results indicate that the adoption of eco-friendly strategies such as regulated deficit irrigation and biostimulant application can beneficially affect the quality traits of processing tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epistasis between genes is traditionally studied with mutations that eliminate protein activity, but most natural genetic variation is in cis-regulatory DNA and influences gene expression and function quantitatively. In this study, we used natural and engineered cis-regulatory alleles in a plant stem-cell circuit to systematically evaluate epistatic relationships controlling tomato fruit size. Combining a promoter allelic series with two other loci, we collected over 30,000 phenotypic data points from 46 genotypes to quantify how allele strength transforms epistasis. We revealed a saturating dose-dependent relationship but also allele-specific idiosyncratic interactions, including between alleles driving a step change in fruit size during domestication. Our approach and findings expose an underexplored dimension of epistasis, in which cis-regulatory allelic diversity within gene regulatory networks elicits nonlinear, unpredictable interactions that shape phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In front of escalating resource limitations in agriculture, this study emphasizes the critical need for efficient crop cultivation. Focusing particularly on tomatoes, a staple in global diets, the research aims to sustenably enhance productivity. Recognizing productivity as a key economic indicator, the study highlights the pivotal role of energyefficient practices in addressing challenges posed by climate change and depleting natural resources. By optimizing energy use in agricultural processes, this research not only improves economic efficiency but also positions the sector for resilience and innovation in a resource-constrained environment. Through an in-depth analysis of data from Eurostat covering the 2014-2022 period, we trace the trends in greenhouse tomato cultivation across Europe, evaluating changes in cultivation areas and productivity. This research offers insights into how different European countries have adapted their agricultural practices in response to environmental and economic pressures and in the same time, it underscores the need for continued innovation and adaptation in agricultural practices to meet the demands of a growing global population under increasingly constrained environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The optimal management of irrigation and fertilization is crucial for maximizing the yield and quality of tomatoes grown in greenhouses. To address this challenge, this study aimed to develop and implement a solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT) based drip irrigation system for tomato cultivation in plastic roof net houses. Additionally, the study evaluated the effects of water and fertilizer frequency on tomato yield and quality. The experiment was designed with 2 irrigation frequencies (1 time in a day and 1 time in 2 days) and 3 fertilizer frequencies (1 time in 2, 4, and 6 days), with 4 replicates of the tomato variety CH154. The results showed that the solar-powered IoT-based drip irrigation system was efficient, precise in water and fertilizer control, and inexpensive to install and maintain. This allows for real-time monitoring of water flow rate, flow sensor status, treatment status, and electrical parameters on the Node-Red dashboard. Irrigation frequency had a significant impact (p < 0.05) on fruit number, weight, and length per plant, with 1-day irrigation resulting in a higher yield than 2-day irrigation. No significant interaction effect was found between irrigation and fertilizer frequency on tomato yield or quality. In conclusion, the solar-powered IoT-based drip irrigation system demonstrated precise control over water and fertilizer, proving its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Real-time monitoring capabilities and the observed impact of irrigation frequency underscore its potential for enhancing tomato cultivation in greenhouses, offering a valuable contribution to sustainable and technology-driven agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) is associated with tomato yellow leaf disorder diseases in more than 20 countries. ToCV can be transmitted in a semipersistent manner by whitefly vectors such as Bemisia tabaci. Controlling the vector pests by using chemical insecticides is an efficient and effective approach to reduce and interrupt the virus transmission. Pyrifluquinazon is a new pyridine azomethine derivative, showing insecticidal toxicity to sucking pests by disturbing their feeding behavior. However, limited attention has been paid to the performance of pyrifluquinazon against B. tabaci and ToCV transmission. Result: This study showed the lethal concentration of 50% (LC50) values of pyrifluquinazon to 22 B. tabaci field populations ranged from 0.54 to 2.44 mg L−1, and the baseline susceptibility of B. tabaci to pyrifluquinazon was 1.24 mg L−1 with a 95% confidence limit of 0.35–1.85 mg L−1. Pyrifluquinazon and afidopyropen did not show cross‐resistance to dinotefuran and pymetrozine in B. tabaci, which both inhibited the feeding activities of B. tabaci. The antifeedant concentration of 50% (AFC50) values at 48 h were 0.70 mg L−1 for pyrifluquinazon and 2.13 mg L−1 for afidopyropen. Foliar application of pyrifluquinazon and afidopyropen reduced the ToCV transmission by 40.91% and 33.33%, respectively and significantly decreased the ToCV loads in tomato plants under laboratory conditions. Conclusion: These results provided new information about the effects of modulators of the vanilloid‐type transient receptor potential channel on the toxicity to B. tabaci and inhibition of ToCV transmission. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out in Yamuna Nagar, Kurukshetra, and Karnal districts of Haryana during 2021-22. A total of 210 tomato growers were interviewed to collect data to study the thorough cost and return analysis of tomato cultivation. Tomato cultivation was a profitable venture for farmers with a BC ratio of 1: 1.86. The per hectare cost of cultivation was worked out to be Rs. 305701.14 of which major contributors were rental value of land (24.96%), picking/harvesting charges (15.44%), transportation (11.61%) and nursery raising/seed (5.74%). The gross return, return over variable cost and net return per hectare were Rs. 569528.28, 412210.72, and 263827.14 on an overall basis. The production cost per quintal of tomato was computed to be Rs. 707.23 per quintal. It was suggested that farmers should take tomato cultivation with a business and market-oriented approach to compete with the challenges of the glut situation and opt cooperative approach in the production and selling of crops to avail maximum profit by reducing the cost of inputs and transportation and ultimately improving bargaining and negotiating power for better price availing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of irrigation patterns combining severe wilting with complete (S_R) or incomplete recovery (S_IR) on the growth, photosynthesis, fruit quality, and yield using a photograph-based irrigation control system. The study was performed in winter with a single sufficient irrigation treatment as Control, S_R, and S_IR. The daily mean maximum of the wilting ratios (W) in the S_R and S_IR was 15.1% and 15.3%, respectively, when W was set at 14%. S_R had the lowest total irrigation frequency of the three treatments. The accumulated cumulative wilting ratio in S_IR was 1.6 times that in S_R. Under water stress, the net photosynthetic rate decreased (S_IR < S_R), rapidly recovering to 73% and 80% of the maximum values following irrigation, respectively. The total amount of irrigation, the plant growth, and the yield were the highest in the Control and those of S_R and S_IR were comparable. S_IR produced the highest-quality fruit. The recovery level affected the fruit quality when the threshold values were similar; therefore, S_IR is appropriate to produce high-Brix tomatoes in winter. Conclusively, the image-based irrigation system could precisely and reproducibly control the irrigation (the most important parameter affecting the growth, yield, and fruit quality of tomatoes) to improve the fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work relates to greenhouse vegetable production in soil in Almeria, Spain. The prescriptive–corrective management (PCM) of irrigation and fertilization (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) was evaluated. PCM combined recommendations (prescriptive management) for irrigation and nutrients made with the VegSyst-DSS v2, a decision support system, with monitoring (corrective management) using tensiometers (for irrigation) and petiole sap analysis (for nutrients). PCM was compared with conventional farmer management (CONV). The VegSyst-DSS v2 recommends applied nutrient concentrations considering simulated crop uptake, available soil nutrient supply, and evapotranspiration (ETc). This study was conducted with soil-grown tomato in a plastic greenhouse. Nutrients were applied in nutrient solution via drip fertigation. Compared to CONV management, PCM reduced irrigation by 25%, N, K, and Mg application by 40%, Ca by 58%, and P by 85%. There were no significant differences between treatments in fruit production and quality, despite appreciable reductions in irrigation and nutrient application. An economic analysis indicated that in this 7-month tomato crop, PCM compared to CONV management was associated with a financial saving of 1611 € ha−1. These results showed that by using prescriptive–corrective fertigation management, based on the VegSyst-DSS v2, considerable savings can be achieved in water and nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) inputs to greenhouse tomato without compromising production. This can reduce farmer costs and the environmental impact associated with these greenhouse production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the economic sustainability and contribution of tomato farming ventures to Addis Ababa's resilience. Using a project-based evaluation method, the profitability of tomato production was analyzed with and without the cost of water. The results showed that including the cost of water, the venture had a negative net present value (NPV) of 30100 USD/hectare/annum, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 0.2%, a payback period (PBP) of over ten years, and a cost-benefit ratio (CBR) of 0.83. However, without the cost of water, the venture showed a subtle profit, with an NPV of 15100 USD/hectare/annum, an IRR of 21%, a PBP of 2.9 years, and a CBR of 1.02. Sensitivity analysis revealed that an increase in sales price and yield positively affected profitability, while an increase in operating cost had a negative effect. The study concluded that when water costs are considered, the tomato venture in Addis Ababa is not profitable or sustainable, and does not contribute to the city's resilience. However, without water cost accounting, the venture's contribution to the city's resilience is minimal. The study recommends policy interventions to enhance farmers' access to the market, establish agro-industries, and improve their bargaining power.

Cauliflower and tomato are two most important cash crops of the North-Western part of Himalayas often grown in sequence and bring remunerative returns to the farmers of mid-hill region. The study was undertaken in order to evaluate the effect of application of various nutrient combinations through organic and inorganic inputs on the post harvest soil fertility status, crop quality parameters, nutrient use efficiencies, nutrient harvest indices, and economics of the cauliflower–tomato production system. The total of 11 treatment combinations, comprising sole organics, graded doses of inorganics and substitution of inorganics with organic inputs were studied. The study concluded that the application of 75% NPK + 100% FYM + 25% recommended N through FYM and VC on 50:50 N-equivalence basis significantly improved most of the quality and yield parameters in both the crops simultaneously giving highest N (197.8 kg ha−1) and K (167.4 kg ha−1) uptake, NUE (46.3%), AE (57.0 kg kg−1), P harvest index (50.7%) and net returns (5476 US$ ha−1) in cauliflower. This treatment was also accorded with significantly highest N (141.9 kg ha−1), P (30.6 kg ha−1), and K (185.0 kg ha−1) uptake, NUE (33.6%), AE (115.4 kg kg−1), and net returns (7858 US$ ha−1) in tomato. Hence, it is concluded that 75% NPK + 100% FYM + 25% recommended N through FYM and VC on 50:50 N-equivalence basis may be adopted as cost-effective nutrient module for farmers following cauliflower–tomato cropping sequence to achieve higher crop production on sustainable basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulching is a common practice for improving crop yield and obtaining an out-of-season production, but when made using plastic materials it can bring environmental problems due to the management and the disposal of films at the end of the cropping seasons. To increase the sustainability of this practice, recently, mulching films made with biodegradable organic materials have become more widely used. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of a biodegradable mulching film on yield and qualitative traits of the San Marzano tomato fruits over two years (2014 and 2015). Two different types of mulching were tested: (i) black biodegradable film (MB12) and (ii) black low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were compared to bare soil (BS). Both mulching films elicited a 25% increase in yield, mainly due to the significantly higher number of fruits per square meter, compared to BS. Both mulching films also elicited a 9.9% increase in total soluble solids and a 57% increase in carotenoid content, while firmness showed the highest value in BS fruits. MB12 determined the highest value of the Hunter color ratio a/b of tomato fruits, followed by LDPE, while the lowest value was recorded in BS fruits. Both mulching films elicited an increase of 9.6%, 26.0%, and 11.7% for flavonoids, polyphenols, and AsA, respectively. In 2014, the MB12 degradation started at 71 days after transplant (DAT); in 2015, at 104 DAT. Therefore, replacing polyethylene with biodegradable film would seem to be an agronomically efficient and environmentally sustainable practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing soil salinity depreciates the quantity of the crop produce. Looking at the tremendous potential of plant-associated microorganisms in salinity stress mitigation, it would be very useful in exploring and deciphering salt-tolerant microorganisms from halophytic plants and their utilization in cultivated plants. With this aim, in the present study, four halophytic plants were taken from Rann of Kutch, and bacterial endophytes were isolated from different plant organs. These endophytes were characterized by plant growth and health promotion features. The molecular identification was done based on 16 s rRNA sequence similarity. It was found that the endophytic bacteria isolated from 4 different halophytes found sharing phylogenetic relatedness. Four potential endophytes Alkalihalobacillus gibsonii 2H2, Achromobacter insuavis 2H18, Terribacillus halophilus 2H20, and Bacillus siamensis 4H1 were tested in tomato for salinity stress alleviation. Changes in the levels of antioxidants were analyzed. Total chlorophyll, total phenolics, malondialdehyde, and proline content indicated reduced damage in the plant system due to salinity by the application of endophytes. All the treatments exhibited low levels of electrolyte leakage. The accumulation of enzymatic reactive oxygen species scavengers was assessed from the levels of peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, ascorbate peroxidase, and guiacol peroxidase. The NBT and DAB staining confirmed the findings. The reduction in the accumulation of Na+ ions in tomato leaves was visualized using Sodium Green probes under CSLM and found to be lowest in Terribacillus halophilus 2H20 and Bacillus siamensis 4H1 inoculated plants. The endophyte Terribacillus halophilus 2H20 was the most promising isolate. The colonization in tomato roots was confirmed using a cell tracker system. Results showed that the endophytes were found to have salinity stress mitigation traits. The efficiency could be further improved with the combination of other endophytes tested earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet of Things (IOT)-based smart farming promises ultrafast speeds and near real-time response. Precision farming enabled by the Internet of Things has the potential to boost efficiency and output while reducing water use. Therefore, IoT devices can aid farmers in keeping track crop health and development while also automating a variety of tasks (such as moisture level prediction, irrigation system, crop development, and nutrient levels). The IoT-based autonomous irrigation technique makes exact use of farmers' time, money, and power. High crop yields can be achieved through consistent monitoring and sensing of crops utilizing a variety of IoT sensors to inform farmers of optimal harvest times. In this paper, a smart framework for growing tomatoes is developed, with influence from IoT devices or modules. With the help of IoT modules, we can forecast soil moisture levels and fine-tune the watering schedule. To further aid farmers, a smartphone app is currently in development that will provide them with crucial data on the health of their tomato crops. Large-scale experiments validate the proposed model's ability to intelligently monitor the irrigation system, which contributes to higher tomato yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the challenges of climate change and food security, the establishment of smart farm complexes is necessary. While there have been numerous studies on the productivity and environmental control of individual greenhouses, research on greenhouse complexes is considerably limited. Conducting environmental studies during the design phase of these complexes poses financial constraints and practical limitations in terms of on-site experiments. To identify potential issues that may arise when developing large-scale greenhouse complexes, it is possible to utilize modeling techniques using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess environmental concerns and location issues before constructing the facilities. Consequently, simulating large-scale CFD models that incorporate multiple greenhouses and atmospheric conditions simultaneously presents significant numerical challenges. The objective of this study was to design and verify the 3D CFD model for a large-scale Venlo greenhouse, where acquiring field data before construction is not feasible for designing a greenhouse complex. The verification of the CFD models was conducted using the improved grid independence test (GIT) and wall Y+ approaches. The findings revealed that a grid resolution of 0.8 m and a first-layer height of 0.04 m were suitable for developing large-scale greenhouse models, resulting in a low Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 3.9% and a high coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.968. This process led to a significant reduction of 38% in the number of grid cells. Subsequently, the aerodynamic characteristics and regional ventilation efficiency were analyzed in a 3D greenhouse model for developing a new large-scale greenhouse complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth and yield of crops are highly dependent on irrigation. Implementing irrigation plans that are tailored to the specific water requirements of crops can enhance crop yield and improve the quality of tomatoes. The mastery and prediction of transpiration rate (Tr) is of great significance for greenhouse crop water management. However, due to the influence of multiple environmental factors and the mutual coupling between environmental factors, it is challenging to construct accurate prediction models. This study focuses on greenhouse tomatoes and proposes a data-driven model configuration based on the Competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) algorithm, using greenhouse environmental sensors that collect six parameters, such as air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, substrate temperature, light intensity, and CO2 concentration. In response to the differences in crop transpiration changes at different growth stages and time stages, the t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) algorithm was used to identify three characteristic intervals: florescence stage, fruiting stage daytime, and fruiting stage night-time. Based on this, a greenhouse tomato Tr prediction model (CARS-CatBoost model) based on the CatBoost machine learning algorithm was constructed. The experimental verification shows that the coefficient of determination (R2) of the constructed CARS-CatBoost single model for the whole growth stage is 0.92, which is higher than the prediction accuracy of the traditional single crop coefficient model (R2 = 0.54). Among them, the prediction accuracy at night during the fruiting stage is the highest, and the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) drops to 0.427 g·m−2·h−1. This study provides an intelligent prediction method based on the zonal modeling of crop growth characteristics, which can be used to support precise irrigation regulation of greenhouse tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to evaluate any effects that biochar may have on tomato yield under deficit-irrigation to develop water-saving and yield-increasing best management practices for greenhouse tomato production. For this purpose, greenhouse trials were conducted in 2021 and 2022 with five biochar (B) application rates and three irrigation (W) levels. The B treatments were B0: 0 t ha−1; B1: 15 t ha−1; B2: 30 t ha−1; B3: 45 t ha−1; and B4: 60 t ha−1, and the W levels were W1: 50–70% of field capacity (θf); W2: 60–80% of θf; and W3B0: 70–90% of θf full irrigation without biochar, which was designated as the control. Our objective was to quantify the effects of biochar on the characteristics of tomato sources and sinks to determine, first, the optimal irrigation–biochar combination to achieve high yield tomato production, and, second, evaluate the mechanisms of this effect. At W1 and W2 irrigation levels, the addition of 30–60 t ha−1 and 45–60 t ha−1 biochar could compensate for the adverse effects of deficit-irrigation on the tomato source and sink characteristics. Our results show that in both years the highest tomato yield was obtained with the W2 irrigation level and the B3 biochar application rate, with 52% higher tomato yield compared to the lowest value obtained with the W1 irrigation level and B0 application rate. We conclude that biochar application can improve tomato yield by promoting the filling rather than the building of the sink capacity. The tomato yield was mainly affected by the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), followed by the leaf area, and the leaf chlorophyll content indirectly affected tomato yield through Pn. The W2 irrigation level combined with the B3 biochar application rate resulted in the best water–biochar combination under the experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an exploratory qualitative Social Life Cycle Analysis (S-LCA) of intensive greenhouse tomato farming in Almeria, Spain, with a specific focus on the social impacts on migrant workers. By setting as a functional unit the production of 10 kg of greenhouse tomato, the study investigates the social dynamics and challenges faced by migrant workers within the industry. The research sheds light on the negative aspects of intensive greenhouse farming for migrants, i.e., labor conditions, health and safety risks, social inequality, and exploitation of migrant labor. Utilizing document analysis, this study contributes to the field of S-LCA by providing a nuanced understanding of the social dimensions surrounding tomato production and migrant workers' experiences. It emphasizes the need for sustainable practices, improved labor conditions, and ethical considerations to ensure a socially responsible tomato farming industry. The findings have implications for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and consumers, providing insights for informed decision-making and the promotion of socially sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize the well-being and rights of migrant workers in the context of intensive greenhouse farming in Almeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methodologies to predict crop water requirements in arid and semi-arid regions are well known. Humid regions such as eastern Canada pose a challenge because irrigation is normally only required for short periods during the growing season to supplement rainfall. This study assessed the capability of the AquaCrop model to simulate the effects of different irrigation regimes on field-grown tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in the humid region of eastern Canada. The experimental study was conducted at the Horticultural Research station of McGill University, Quebec, Canada. There were three irrigation treatments in 2017 and in 2019, that were based on the % depletion of available water content (AWC). The AquaCrop model was calibrated and verified with the 2017 and 2019 field data, respectively. The verified model was used to predict irrigation water requirements and fruit yield for the driest year (1993) and the average rainfall year (2001) of a 35-year historic weather dataset from 1986 to 2000, for three different soil types (silty clay, sandy loam, and heavy clay) under four irrigation regimes. Model performance was greatly improved when the seasonal harvest index (HI) measured from experimental data was used instead of the default model HI values. AquaCrop was suitable for estimating dry yield and total biomass with RMSE = 0.57 ton ha-1 and 0.89 ton ha-1, respectively, in the calibration phase, and RMSE = 0.28 ton ha-1 and 0.01 ton ha-1 for dry yield and total biomass, respectively, in the verification phase. These results indicate a very high accuracy of AquaCrop to estimate total above ground biomass and fruit yield in humid regions with seasonally adjusted HI values. The predictions showed that maintaining AWC depletion below 25% resulted in no significant decrease in crop yield and biomass, making it an optimum water management guideline for irrigated tomato production in Quebec. The findings of this study are useful to crop growers and water resource managers in eastern Canada, who seek better irrigation strategies to optimize productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato is among the priority crops of greenhouse cultivation in Turkey and in the world. One of the most important fungal diseases of tomatoes is grey mould. Botrytis cinerea, B. cinerea group S and Botrytis pseudocinerea have been reported previously as causes of grey mould disease on tomatoes. The objectives of this study were to characterize the common grey mould population, their virulence levels, and identify the possible cryptic Botrytis species occurring on greenhouse tomatoes in Turkey. Botrytis species were identified using the RPB2, G3PDH, HSP60 and NEP2 sequences. The predominant grey mould pathogen was B. cinerea. B. cinerea group S and B. pseudocinerea were not isolated. The MH69 isolate was identified as Botrytis prunorum. This is the first time that this cryptic species has been reported causing disease on tomatoes. Differences in the virulence levels of B. cinerea isolates were observed. The virulence of the B. prunorum isolate was found to be lower than most of the B. cinerea isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Plant-parasitic nematodes are some of the most important plant pathogens in tomato farms. Tomato is an acritical and high-demand vegetable in the world. The plantparasitic nematodes are highly adapted and can cause severe damage to tomato farms. Therefore, understanding the population of nematodes on the tomato field assists the farmer in managing them and having better yields. This study was conducted to identify nematode species from the soil and root samples during a survey of plant-parasitic nematodes in four tomato farms in 2021. The samples were collected across the farms in Limpopo province, South Africa. Analyzing the soil and identifying the nematodes has been done at the Aquaculture Research Unit, University of Limpopo. Seven nematode species were identified from the soil and root samples out of the 40 soil samples collected. The nematodes encountered were Meloidogyne (700), Pratylenchus (430), Xiphinema (380), Helicotylenchus (260), Ditylenchus (180), Rotylenchus (110), Tylenchorhynchus (90). The CCA results indicated the contribution of PPN species and soil variables in tomato farms to the analysis indicated that Meloidogyne and Rotylenchus were dominant in substrates characterized by soil structure (Clay, Silt%), and high-level of Ca (%), Carbon (%), and K (%) found in Polokwane and Tzaneen tomato farms. At the same time, Helicotylenchus, Pratylenchus, and Xiphinema were dominant in substrates characterized by sand (%), Na (%), and Mg (%) found in Giyani and Louis Trichardt tomato farms. In conclusion, soil factors can directly affect soil biology. In this study, the results showed unsustainable soil factor was the reason for the high plant-parasitic nematode population in the tomato field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of nutrients has a significant impact on cherry tomato fruit yield and quality. In a greenhouse experiment, a popular local cherry tomato cultivar (Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme Alef), namely 'Yuekeda 101' was grown under various fertilization conditions. In this study, the yield, agronomic traits, and fruit quality of cherry tomatoes were determined to evaluate the effect of fertilization treatment on cherry tomato growth. Results showed that the fertilization treatment significantly affected the growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrition accumulation in the cherry tomato plants. The T1 treatment (without reduction of the chemical + application of humic acid fertilizer) harvested the highest fruit yield per plant (1195.0 g). Additional applications of humic acid fertilizer might benefit cherry tomatoes to achieve a balance between fruit yield and quality. Variations in cherry tomato yield and fruit quality are correlated with the nutrient content of the plant's various tissues. The treatment without reduction of the chemical with the application of the humic acid could balance the yield and fruit quality of cherry tomatoes. The results of this study suggested that the administration of a combination of fertilizers could regulate the growth and nutrient accumulation of cherry tomato plants, thereby influencing their yield and fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, smart farming research based on artificial intelligence (AI) has been widely applied in the field of agriculture to improve crop cultivation and management. Predicting the harvest time (time-to-harvest) of crops is important in smart farming to solve problems such as planning the production schedule of crops and optimizing the yield and quality. This helps farmers plan their labor and resources more efficiently. In this paper, our concern is to predict the time-to-harvest (i.e., survival time) of tomatoes on a smart farm. For this, it is first necessary to develop a deep learning modeling approach that takes into account the farm effect on the tomato plants, as each farm has multiple tomato plant subjects and outcomes on the same farm can be correlated. In this paper, we propose deep neural network (DNN) survival models to account for the farm effect as a fixed effect using one-hot encoding. The tomato data used in our study were collected on a weekly basis using the Internet of Things (IoT). We compare the predictive performance of our proposed method with that of existing DNN and statistical survival modeling methods. The results show that our proposed DNN method outperforms the existing methods in terms of the root mean squared error (RMSE), concordance index (C-index), and Brier score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate quantification of evapotranspiration (ETc) and its components are critical for enhancing water use efficiency and implementing precision irrigation. A two-year experiment was conducted for greenhouse-grown tomatoes under mulched drip irrigation with three irrigation treatments during 2020–2021 in Northeast China. Three different irrigation treatments were applied by setting upper and lower soil moisture irrigation thresholds (i.e., W1, 65%θFC–75%θFC, W2, 75%θFC–85%θFC, W3, 85%θFC–95%θFC, respectively, where θFC is field capacity). In this study, a modified dual crop coefficient (Kc) model was proposed to simulate daily ETc, plant transpiration (Tr) and soil evaporation (Es). The simulations of the model were validated against observed data from the sap flow system combined with the soil water balance method. The controlling factors on the variations of evapotranspiration and its components were also identified by using the path analysis method. Results showed that the modified dual Kc model can accurately simulate daily ETc, Es, and Tr for the greenhouse tomato under different irrigation conditions, with the coefficients of determination ranging from 0.88 to 0.98 and the index of agreement higher than 0.90. The seasonal cumulative ETc of tomato for W1–W3 were 138.5–194.4 mm, of which 9.5–15.8% was consumed by Es. Path analysis showed that the net radiation (Rn) was the dominant factor controlling the variations of Tr and ETc during the growing seasons. The canopy coverage degree (Kcc) was the dominant controlling factor of Es, while the temperature (Ta) was the primary limiting factor affecting Es. This study can provide reference information for developing proper irrigation management in a greenhouse-grown tomato in the north cold climate regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the foliar application of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in mitigating the effects of salt stress on cherry tomato cultivation in a hydroponic system. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using a Nutrient Film Technique hydroponic system. The experimental design used was completely randomized in a split-plot scheme, with four levels of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution—ECns (2.1, 2.8, 3.5, and 4.2 dS m−1), considered as plots, and five H2O2 concentrations (0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 µM), regarded as subplots, with four replicates and two plants per plot. An increase in the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution negatively affected the production components of cherry tomatoes. However, it did not affect the post-harvest quality of the fruits. Despite the reductions observed in the production components due to the increase in the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution, foliar application of H2O2 at concentrations esteemed between 22 and 25 µM attenuated the deleterious effects of salt stress on the number of fruits and ascorbic acid content and increased the total fruit production per plant of cherry tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triazole fungicides can threaten plants as abiotic stressors but can also positively affect plant defense by inducing priming. Thus, plant yield is also both protected and endangered by triazoles that may influence several metabolic pathways during maturation processes, such as the biosynthesis of saccharides or secondary metabolites. Here, Solanum lycopersicum L. plants were exposed to foliar and soil applications of penconazole, tebuconazole, or their combination, and their resulting effect on tomato fruits was followed. The exposure to the equimolar mixture of both triazoles influenced the representation of free proteinogenic amino acids, especially Gln, Glu, Gly, Ile, Lys, Ser and Pro, saccharide content, and led to a significant increase in the contents of total phenolics and flavonoids as well as positive stimulation of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system. Among the identified secondary metabolites, the most abundant was naringenin, followed by chlorogenic acid in tomato peel. In turn, all triazole-treated groups showed a significantly lower content of rosmarinic acid in comparison with the control. Foliar application of penconazole affected the fruit more than other single triazole applications, showing a significant decrease in antioxidant capacity, the total content of secondary metabolites, and the activities of total membrane-bound peroxidases and ascorbate peroxidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botrytis cinerea is a devastating fungal pathogen that causes severe economic losses in global tomato cultivation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving tomatoes' response to this pathogen is crucial for developing effective strategies to counter it. Although the Micro-Tom (MT) cultivar has been used as a model, its stage-specific response to B. cinerea remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the response of the MT and Ailsa Craig (AC) cultivars to B. cinerea at different time points (12–48 h post-infection (hpi)). Our results indicated that MT exhibited a stronger resistant phenotype at 18–24 hpi but became more susceptible to B. cinerea later (26–48 hpi) compared to AC. Transcriptome analysis revealed differential gene expression between MT at 24 hpi and AC at 22 hpi, with MT showing a greater number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Pathway and functional annotation analysis revealed significant differential gene expression in processes related to metabolism, biological regulation, detoxification, photosynthesis, and carbon metabolism, as well as some immune system-related genes. MT demonstrated an increased reliance on Ca2+ pathway-related proteins, such as CNGCs, CDPKs, and CaMCMLs, to resist B. cinerea invasion. B. cinerea infection induced the activation of PTI, ETI, and SA signaling pathways, involving the modulation of various genes such as FLS2, BAK1, CERK1, RPM, SGT1, and EDS1. Furthermore, transcription factors such as WRKY, MYB, NAC, and AUX/IAA families played crucial regulatory roles in tomatoes' defense against B. cinerea. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tomatoes' defense against B. cinerea and offer potential strategies to enhance plant resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) are the most valuable vegetable crop in the world. This study identified the morphological characteristics, vitamin content, etc., from 15 tomato varieties in total, that included five each from the three experimental types, during the commercial ripening period. The results showed that the hardness with peel and the moisture content of tasty tomatoes were 157.81% and 54.50%, and 3.16% and 1.90% lower than those of regular tomatoes and cherry tomatoes, respectively, while the soluble solids were 60.25% and 20.79% higher than those of the latter two types. In addition, the contents of vitamin C, lycopene, fructose, glucose, and total organic acids of tasty tomatoes were higher than those of regular tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. A total of 110 volatile compounds were detected in the 15 tomato varieties. The average volatile compound content of tasty tomatoes was 57.94% higher than that of regular tomatoes and 15.24% higher than that of cherry tomatoes. Twenty of the 34 characteristic tomato aroma components were identified in tasty tomatoes, with fruity and green being the main odor types. Ten characteristic aroma components in regular tomatoes were similar to those of tasty tomatoes; ten types of cherry tomatoes had floral and woody aromas as the main odor types. The flavor sensory score was significantly positively correlated with the content of soluble solids, fructose, glucose, citric acid, fumaric acid, and β-ionone (p < 0.01), and significantly negatively correlated with water content and firmness without peel. Regular, tasty, and cherry tomatoes were separated using principal component analysis, and the quality of tasty tomatoes was found to be better than cherry tomatoes, followed by regular tomatoes. These results provide valuable information for a comprehensive evaluation of fruit quality among tomato varieties to develop consumer guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The extensive use of chemical fertilizers has served as a response to the increasing need for crop production in recent decades. While it addresses the demand for food, it has resulted in a decline in crop productivity and a heightened negative environmental impact. In contrast, plant probiotic bacteria (PPB) offer a promising alternative to mitigate the negative consequences of chemical fertilizers. PPB can enhance nutrient availability, promote plant growth, and improve nutrient uptake efficiency, thereby reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of native Rhizobium strains, specifically Rhizobium calliandrae LBP2-1, Rhizobium mayense NSJP1-1, and Rhizobium jaguaris SJP1-2, on the growth, quality, and rhizobacterial community of tomato crops. Various mechanisms promoting plant growth were investigated, including phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, indole acetic acid synthesis, and cellulose and cellulase production. Additionally, the study involved the assessment of biofilm formation and root colonization by GFP-tagged strains, conducted a microcosm experiment, and analyzed the microbial community using metagenomics of rhizospheric soil. Results: The results showed that the rhizobial strains LBP2-1, NSJP1-1 and SJP1-2 had the ability to solubilize dicalcium phosphate, produce siderophores, synthesize indole acetic acid, cellulose production, biofilm production, and root colonization. Inoculation of tomato plants with native Rhizobium strains influenced growth, fruit quality, and plant microbiome composition. Metagenomic analysis showed increased Proteobacteria abundance and altered alpha diversity indices, indicating changes in rhizospheric bacterial community. Discussion: Our findings demonstrate the potential that native Rhizobium strains have to be used as a plant probiotic in agricultural crops for the generation of safe food and high nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using extract of Amaranthus viridus and their characterization. • Growing of tomato plants and induction of infection (Botrytis cinerea) in them. • Application of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on infected plants along with positive and negative controls. • Mitigation of biotic stress of fungal infection in tomato plants by silver nanoparticles treatment. Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. commonly known as tomato is an important crop grown all over the world. Tomato crops are badly affected by various abiotic and biotic stresses and one of the biotic stressors that harm L. esculentum is Botrytis cinerea causing grey mold disease. Botrytis grey mold can badly disturb all above-ground parts of the tomato plant. In this study, silver nanoparticles were used to mitigate the negative effects of B. cinerea on tomato growth. These nanoparticles were produced from the leaf extract of Amaranthus viridis L. and characterization was done using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR). Characterization confirmed the synthesis of silver nanoparticles with an average size of 11.4 -25 nm and a spherical shape. XRD analysis exhibited diffracted intensities at the 2θ values of 38.5°, 44.65°, 63.2°, and 77.25° which is significant for silver nanoparticles. An in vivo pot experiment was performed to evaluate various physiological and biochemical parameters of tomato plants, including chlorophyll, proline, sugar, protein, and growth parameters like fresh, and dry weight of plants. The experiment revealed that all the physiological and biochemical parameters improved after the application of silver nanoparticles as compared to the control groups e.g., chlorophyll content was 39.69 µg/g after NPs' treatment whereas in control it was 30.44 µg/g. Similarly, carotenoids were 10.05 µg/g in control and 12.68 µg/g with NP treatment whereas membrane stability was 51.34 % in control and 59.26 % with NPs-treated plants. Protein, sugar, and proline content were 0.31 mg/g, 0.68 µg/g, and 0.19 µg/g in control as compared to 0.59 mg/g, 1.11 µmol/g, and 0.07 µg/g respectively in NPs-treated plants. Disease occurrence was significantly reduced to 0% in plants treated with 0.03-0.05% silver NPs. Therefore, this study suggested that bio-fabricated silver nanoparticles reduced the harmful effects of B. cinerea in tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the effects of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on the yield and quality of tomato under high temperature and high humidity environment in the Meiyu season, a field experiment was conducted in the solar greenhouse of Nanjing University of Information Technology during the Meiyu season from June to July in 2021. Using adequate irrigation (100% ET0) as the control (CK), three levels of RDI treatments were set up from flowering to fruiting stage of tomato, which were T1 (90% ET0), T2 (75% ET0) and T3 (50% ET0) respectively. The growth indices, nutritional quality, sensory quality and yield of tomato under different irrigation treatments were measured. The results showed that the plant height, leaf area, dry matter accumulation of root, stem and leaf of tomato increased first and then decreased with the decrease of irrigation amount. The plant height, leaf area, dry matter accumulation of root, stem and leaf of tomato in T1 treatment were the highest, followed by T2 treatment, and which were significantly higher than CK and T3 treatment. The yield of each treatment was T1>T2>CK>T3. The yield of T1 and T2 treatments were 23.21% and 9.33% higher than that of CK respectively, while that of T3 treatment was 19.36% lower than that of CK. The content of soluble protein, soluble solids, soluble sugar, titratable acid, the ratio of sugar to acid and the sensory quality such as color, luster, smell, peel thickness and sweetness all increased first and then decreased with the decrease of irrigation amount. Nutritional quality indicators such as soluble protein content, soluble solids content, soluble sugar content, titratable acid content, sugar-acid ratio, and sensory quality indicators such as fruit color, luster, aroma, pericarp thickness, sweetness also increased first and then decreased with the decrease of irrigation amount. The soluble solid content, soluble sugar content, sugar-acid ratio, fruit color, fruit smell, fruit sweetness and pericarp thickness of T2 treatment were the highest, followed by T1 treatment. The nutritional quality and sensory quality of fruits were evaluated by membership function method, and the results were T2>T1>T3>CK. According to the growth status of tomato plants, the nutritional quality, sensory quality and yield of tomato fruits, T1 treatment could significantly promote the growth of tomato plants, increase fruit yield and improve fruit quality under the environmental conditions of high temperature and high relative humidity in Meiyu season. Therefore, T1 treatment is the recommended irrigation amount for greenhouse tomato from flowering to fruiting stage under the high temperature and high humidity environment in Meiyu season of Nanjing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India is facing high water stress and it is amongst those with the most fragile and uncertain water resource countries in the world. Crop productivity depends on quality of input supply including seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and supported by irrigation facilities. In India, ground water irrigates more than 61% of net cropped area and much of water being used for irrigating rice crop. The disproportionate water uses for crop production results in poor water productivity. The planning of water resources could be achieved by knowing the crop water requirements in different seasons and productivity of water. Hence, study was taken up to assess the water use and productivity of crops under intensively ground water irrigated watershed. Methods: A study conducted to assess the water use and productivity of different crops grown in Kothakunta sub watershed (having 206 working bore wells with cultivated area of 203.5 ha) in Siddipet district of Telangana, India during kharif and rabi season of 2008 to 2012, data were collected from 147 farmers on rice, maize, cotton, potato, flora beans and tomato crops grown under irrigation. The water applied to crops was measured by fixing water meters at the end of water delivery pipe and recorded the quantity of water applied each time. For rice crop four plots were taken and for other crops two plots were taken for measuring the water. The water use and productivity were assessed by using standard procedure. Result: The water productivity was found to be higher to vegetables, which ranged between 2.43 kg of potato, 1.57 kg of beans and 1.26 kg of tomato than cereals (0.79 kg for maize and 0.39 kg for rabi rice) per cubic meter of irrigation water consumed. Water productivity in terms of monetary return (') per cubic meter of water consumed was higher with beans ('17.20) in contrast to potato ('16.12). Rice equivalent yield (REY) calculated per cubic meter of irrigation water consumption was very similar to economic return ('per cubic meter of water). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of the production of double-stemmed grafted and non-grafted tomato plants on yield and quality was investigated. Android F1 and Torry F1 tomato (S. lycopersicum L.) cultivars were grafted on "Classmate" tomato rootstock, and grafting was doneaccording to one or two stems for treatments. There were 12 plants in each treatment over 4 grafting and 2 varieties and the plants were provided seedling nursery. The number of stems left in tomato seedlings as grafted and non-grafted was taken as the basis. The plants which are consisting of two stems are formed from the cotyledon axillary buds. The grafting in the experiment were created as follows;.1- grafted-double stem: Shoots were formed with the development of cotyledon axillary buds, 2- Non-grafted-double stem: Shoots were formed with the development of cotyledon axillary buds on cultivars, 3- Grafted-single stem and 4- non-grafted-single stem (control) were formed. In the experiment conducted, the highest plant height (167.25 cm) was obtained from the control treatment and the highest stem diameter (16.58 mm) was obtained from the grafted double stem treatment. L and Hue angel values measured in fruit color of treatments were not statistically significant. The highest total soluble solids (4.46%) was obtained from the non-grafted double stem treatment. In terms of total yield, the highest value (12.27 kg m-2) was obtained in the control plants. The effect of double stem in cotyledon axillary buds on grafted tomato cultivation was found statistically significant on yield, and grafting with double stem decreased the yield, as compare to the control treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been widely used as light sources for plant production in plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs), and light spectrum and light amount have great impacts on plant growth and development. With the expansion of the product list of PFALs, tomato production in PFALs has received attention, but studies on fruit quality influenced by artificial light are lacking. In this study, precisely modulated LED light sources based on white light combined with additional red, blue, and green lights were used to investigate the effects of light spectrum and daily light integral (DLI) on the main quality indicators and flavor substances of "Micro-Tom" tomato fruits. The highest sugar–acid ratio was obtained under the white light with addition of red light with high DLI and blue light with low DLI. The contents of β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein were significantly increased by higher DLI conditions except for under the blue light treatment, and the cross-interactions between the light spectrum and DLI were observed. The accumulation of the main flavor substances in tomato fruits was decreased by addition of green light with a high DLI and red light with a low DLI; notably, the percentage of 2-isobutylthiazole, which is associated with fresh tomato aroma, was decreased by green light. This study provides insights for improving tomato fruit quality and flavor by regulating light conditions in PFALs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 1 (COMT1) is a key enzyme that is involved in melatonin synthesis, affecting the melatonin content in plants. In this experiment, tomato plants (slcomt1) with silenced SlCOMT1 gene expression were used to investigate the effects of SlCOMT1 deficiency on fruit growth, development, and quality formation. The results show that the slcomt1 plants exhibited prolonged fruit development, with reductions in the relative expression levels of SlCOMT1 by 71.1%, 79.7%, 83.9%, and 90.6% during the green fruit, breaker, orange ripening, and red ripening stages, respectively. The endogenous melatonin content also decreased by 29.4%, 43%, 45%, and 61.4% in the corresponding stages. Furthermore, the slcomt1 plants showed a decrease in the individual fruit weight, seed number per fruit, and fruit set rate by approximately 51.1%, 48.2%, and 30.4%, respectively. The slcomt1 plants exhibited an increase in the titratable acid content by 32.1%, 22.1%, 10.3%, and 24.4% during the green fruit, breaker, orange ripening, and red ripening stages, while the sugar-to-acid ratio decreased by 44.9%, 32.6%, 22.7%, and 36.8%. The slcomt1 plants also displayed increased fruit firmness, along with reductions in the relative expression levels of the cell wall and carotenoid-related genes and carotenoid content. Specifically, the Vc content in the slcomt1 plants decreased by 80.7% during the green fruit stage, and by 11.5%, 17.1%, and 2.6% during the breaker, orange ripening, and red ripening stages, respectively. The soluble protein content exhibited a decreasing trend in the corresponding stages. This study highlights the important role of endogenous melatonin in fruit physiology and quality formation, providing insights for further research and application of melatonin in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and partial root zone drying irrigation (PRD) on water productivity (WP), crop water response factor (Ky), and yield of tomato crop (Solanum lycopersicum) were explored in this study using fresh (0.9 dS m−1) and saline (3.6 dS m−1) water under greenhouse conditions. RDI had four ETc (crop evapotranspiration) levels, i.e., 40, 60, 80, and 100%. PRD adopted 100% ETc for all treatments with changes in its application time (first, second, third, and fourth growth stages). Biochar pyrolyzed at 450–500 °C and added at rate of 4%. The results revealed that the Ky ranged between 0.21 and 0.37, indicating that tomato can tolerate a shortage of irrigation water. The highest value of WP (191 kg m−3) was found in 40% ETc using fresh water with biochar. The highest yield (20.0 kg m−2) was obtained with the application of 100% ETc with fresh water and biochar. Biochar application did not result in favorable yields with saline water due to its high salinity (7.8 dS m−1). The use of PRD in the fourth stage with biochar and fresh water led to the highest yield (20.6 kg m−2). Finally, this study recommends the application of biochar only when fresh irrigation water is available in adequate amounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]