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Relationship between tomato fruit growth and fruit osmotic potential under salinity
M C. Bolarin1, M T. Estañ, M Caro
1Department of Irrigation and Salinity, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CSIC), Campus de Espinardo, Apdo 4195, E-30100-, Murcia, Spain
Summary
Wild tomato (Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium) shows better fruit growth under salt stress than cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) by maintaining fruit osmotic potential (Psi(s)) and accumulating ions effectively.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Agricultural Science
- Salinity Stress Research
Background:
- Salinity stress significantly impacts crop yield and quality.
- Understanding plant responses to salinity is crucial for developing salt-tolerant crops.
- Tomato fruit development is sensitive to environmental conditions, including salt stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between fruit growth and osmotic potential (Psi(s)) in tomato under saline conditions.
- To compare the salt tolerance of a cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and a wild accession (Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium).
- To identify the physiological mechanisms underlying differential fruit development under salinity.
Main Methods:
- Controlled greenhouse experiment with two tomato species/accessions (L. esculentum and L. pimpinellifolium).
- Application of 0 mM and 70 mM NaCl treatments.
- Monitoring fruit growth (weight, dry matter, water content) from 15 to 70 days after anthesis (DAA).
- Measurement of fruit osmotic potential (Psi(s)) and solute accumulation (inorganic ions and hexoses).
Main Results:
- L. pimpinellifolium maintained fruit weight under salinity, while L. esculentum showed significant reductions from 45 DAA.
- Salinity affected fruit water content before fruit weight in L. esculentum.
- Both species showed decreased fruit Psi(s) under salinity, with L. pimpinellifolium exhibiting a greater initial reduction.
- Inorganic solutes contributed to Psi(s) reduction early in fruit development, followed by hexoses in ripe fruits.
- L. esculentum accumulated K+ as the main osmoticum, while L. pimpinellifolium utilized both K+ and Na+.
Conclusions:
- L. pimpinellifolium demonstrates superior salt tolerance in fruit development compared to L. esculentum.
- Differential ion accumulation (K+ and Na+) plays a key role in maintaining fruit osmotic potential and growth under salinity.
- The findings provide insights into breeding salt-tolerant tomato varieties by leveraging wild relatives' genetic resources.