Effect of water and salt synergistic regulation at the different growth stages on quality and sucrose-metabolizing enzyme activities of tomato

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore the effects of different degrees of water and salt stress on the quality and sucrose-related metabolic enzymes of tomatoes. The greenhouse pot experiment was used to set three influencing factors, the irrigation water salinity (S), different degrees of water deficit (W) and growth period of water shortage (T), each set to three levels, a total of 21 treatments. The changes of each quality in tomatoes at maturity under different treatments were measured and analyzed. And pay attention to the changes in sucrose content and sucrose metabolism-related enzyme activities in tomato leaves and pulp at 45 and 60 days after flowering. The results showed that the synergistic regulation of water and salt at different growth periods significantly improved the quality of tomatoes, with salt stress having the greatest impact on quality, followed by irrigation and finally by periods of water deficit. Leaf and pulp sucrose metabolizing enzyme activities were related to fruit sugar content and increased with increasing water and salt stress levels. Periods of water deficit had no significant effect on sucrose metabolizing enzyme activity. There was no significant interaction between the three factors. Fruit quality was significantly improved under this new irrigation pattern. The best fruit quality was achieved with the S2W3T3 treatment. The results of the study provided a scientific and reliable theoretical basis for improving the quality of local tomatoes and developing suitable irrigation patterns.

Keywords:

• coordinated regulation of water and salt
• quality
• sucrose metabolic enzymes
• tomato

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Availability of data and material

The data that support this study are available in the article and accompanying online supplementary material.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects (grant No. 2019FB075).