Abstract
This study was conducted to decrease fruit cracking of cherry tomato by low osmotic potential solution treatment in hydroponics. Plants cultured in standard concentration of nutrient solution (-0.12 MPa), were transferred only at nighttime (9 PM to 9AM) to low osmotic solution, -0.24 or -0.36 MPa using 40 or 90 mM PEG, respectively. Fruit cracking in -0.36 MPa treated plants decreased to 65% of PEG-free control plants. Fruit and leaf water potentials of the -0.36 MPa treated plants were lower than those in the control plants at nighttime. Based on the above results, it was suggested that water absorption of plants was suppressed by PEG treatment resulting in decrease in fruit cracking. Fruit size, Brix and hardness were not influenced with this treatment.
