Production of High Soluble Solids Fruits Without Reducing Dry Matter Production in Tomato Plants Grown in Salinized Nutrient Solution Controlled by Electrical Conductivity

Abstract

We investigated dry matter production and fruit characteristics of high-Brix tomatoes when plants were pinched above the third truss and electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution was gradually increased by changing the amounts of nutrients and NaCl. In the salinized treatment, fruit fresh weight was significantly decreased, and fruit Brix was significantly increased, relative to the non-salinized treatment. There were no significant differences in leaf area index, light use efficiency, light intercepted by leaves, total dry matter production, fruit dry weight, or dry matter distribution to fruit between treatments, but dry matter content of fruits was significantly increased in the salinized treatment. Therefore, dry matter production by plants was not reduced by the salinized treatment. The increase in fruit Brix was associated mainly with the increase in the dry matter content of fruits. Without reducing dry matter production, high-brix tomatoes can be produced by controlling the nutrient solution.