engleski

Effect of partial root-zone irrigation on grafted tomato mineral content and fruit quality

Alternate partial root-zone drying (PRD) irrigation is one of the water-saving strategies, while grafting onto some rootstocks is a usefull tool to overcome abiotic stresses in fruit vegetables, including tomato and can enhance macronutrients uptake owing to more vigorous root system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of partial root-zone drying on grafted tomato leaf and fruit mineral concentrations (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and fruit quality attributes. The tomato plants (cv. Clarabella) ungrafted, self-grafted and grafted onto He-man rootstock were soil grown in greenhouse under two irrigation regimes, partial-root zone drying (PRD) and full irrigation (FI). There were no significant differences between treatments in leaf N, P and K concentrations while for leaf Ca and Mg significance were found. Leaves on average had more Ca and Mg under PRD. No differences were found in fruit mineral concentrations between treatments. Fruit soluble solids content (SSC) and titrable acidity were higher under PRD, but tomato juice pH was higher in FI treatment. Also, SSC was affected by grafting type and was highest in ungrafted plants. These results show the effectiveness of PRD with respect to upgrading of fruit quality in tomato without negative influence on grafted tomato leaf and fruit mineral content.

Solanum lycopersicum L.; grafting; water stress; mineral nutrition

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