Tomato responses to salinity stress: From morphological traits to genetic changes

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Physiology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Tomato is a vital global food crop facing threats from increasing soil salinity.
• Projected land salinization by 2050 necessitates understanding tomato's response to salt stress.
• Existing research details salinity effects on tomato growth, development, and various parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize recent scientific advances on the effects of salinity on tomato plants.
• To provide insights into morphological, physiological, biochemical, yield, and gene expression changes.
• To highlight the need for strategies to improve tomato salt tolerance.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases.
• Study selection and screening based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline.
• Emphasis on analyzing and synthesizing results from selected studies.

Main Results:

• Salinity is a significant factor affecting tomato growth at all developmental stages.
• Comprehensive impacts observed on morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits.
• Yield and fruit quality parameters are demonstrably affected by salt stress.

Conclusions:

• Urgent need for research into methods to increase tomato plant tolerance to salinity stress.
• Findings support the selection and application of appropriate cropping practices.
• Strategies are essential to sustain tomato production under increasing land salinization.