Die Bodenkultur - Journal for Land Management, Food and Environment

K. Nahar and R. Gretzmacher:

Effect of water stress on nutrient uptake, yield and quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) under subtropical conditions

Summary

The influence of water stress on tomato plants and fruit quality was investigated in a pot experiment (Bangladesh). Yield and dry matter production were adversely affected at 100% and 40 % of the field capacity. The uptake of nitrogen, sodium, potassium, sulphur, calcium and magnesium was significantly reduced by water stress in the plants. Significant increases in glucose, fructose, sucrose in fruits and proline content in leaves showed some tendency of this crop to adjust osmotically to water stress. Water stress increased the sugar and acid contents (ascorbic, malic and citric acid) of the tomato fruits and thus improved the fruit quality. Key words: Tomato, water stress, yield, quality, Bangladesh.