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Influence of an increased NaCl concentration on yield and quality of cherry tomato grown in posidonia ( Posidonia oceanica (L) Delile)
Author(s) -
Serio Francesco,
Gara Laura De,
Caretto Sofia,
Leo Lucia,
Santamaria Pietro
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.1883
Subject(s) - posidonia oceanica , lycopene , horticulture , dry matter , chemistry , salinity , substrate (aquarium) , hydroponics , botany , food science , biology , carotenoid , seagrass , ecosystem , ecology
Tomato plants cv Naomi were grown in posidonia ( Posidonia oceanica (L) Delile) with two NaCl salinity levels in nutrient solution (EC: 3 and 6 dS m −1 ) or with the NaCl level 3 dS m −1 , in the most frequently used substrate in soilless systems, eg rockwool, to determine the effect of substrate or EC on yield, contents of minerals, antioxidants with nutritional and health values (vitamin C, lycopene, α‐tocopherol and glutathione) as well as parameters affecting the organoleptic quality in cherry tomato fruits. Total yield was not influenced by substrate, but it was higher with 3 dS m −1 than 6 dS m −1 salinity. The yield reduction was compensated by the improvement of dry matter, total soluble solids, vitamin C and α‐tocopherol, while lycopene and glutathione contents were not affected by NaCl. On average, when tomato plants were grown in the presence of the higher NaCl level, the fruit diameter was between 25 and 35 mm (considered optimal for cherry tomato) while, with 3 dS m −1 , it was greater than 35 mm. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry