Distribution of salinity in the root zone affects the yield, quality of tomato fruit

Tabatabaie, S. J., Gregory, P. J. and Hadley, P. (2004) Distribution of salinity in the root zone affects the yield, quality of tomato fruit. In: Papadopoulos, A. P. (ed.) ACTA HORTICULTURAE. ACTA HORTICULTURAE , 633. International Society Horticultural Science, Toronto, Canada, pp. 439-444. ISBN 90-6605-627-4

Abstract/Summary

Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. DRK) were grown with a split root system to determine the effect of an unequal distribution of salinity in the root zone on yield and quality. The roots of the plant were divided into two portions and each portion was irrigated with nutrient solutions differing in EC levels achieved by adding Na or K. The maximum yield was observed in treatments with unequal EC when one portion of the roots received only water and the lowest in the high EC treatments. The reduced yield in the high EC treatment was due to the incidence of blossom-end rot and reduced fruit size. Fruit size in the treatments receiving solutions of unequal EC was up to 12% greater than that in the control. No significant differences were found in soluble solids and acidity between control and all other unequal EC treatments. Ca concentration was significantly higher in the treatments where one portion of the root system received water. It was concluded that high salinity had positive effects on yield and quality provided that one portion of the root system were placed in low EC or only water.