Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2025)

Management of salinity stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) through zinc nutrition

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.6892
Submitted
25 December 2024
Published
09-03-2025 — Updated on 01-04-2025
Versions

Abstract

Soil salinity is an essential threat to the productivity and quality of vegeta ble crops. Tomatoes are the major vegetable, and their response to salinity and salinity management strategies has been widely studied. However, the studies evaluating alleviation strategies at the field level are meagre. A field experiment was conducted to research zinc nutrition's effect on salinity stress alleviation in two tomato cultivars. The experiment consisted of two cultivars (PKM 1 and Sivam) and four levels of zinc application as ZnSO4 (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg ha-1) with three replications. The growth, yield, physiologi cal and biochemical parameters were recorded during harvest. Results showed that among the cultivars, Sivam recorded the higher plant height (87.9 cm), number of branches (11.2), dry-matter production (139.6 g plant-1), number of fruits (85.1) and fruit yield (83.2 t ha-1). Growth trends and yield attributes were observed under salinity stress with increasing zinc applica tion levels. The highest fruit yield was recorded in Sivam and PKM 1 with ZnSO4 application at the rate of 75 kg ha-1. Applying ZnSO4 at the rate of 75 kg ha-1 recorded higher fruit yields of 33.7 and 92.8 t ha-1 in cultivars PKM 1 and Sivam, respectively. The percent increase in yield in cultivar PKM 1 and Sivam over control was 27.1 and 27.8, respectively. Nutrient availability and uptake increased with ZnSO4 application and was the highest at 75 kg ha-1. Physiological parameters viz. leaf area, specific leaf area, total chloro phyll content, membrane stability index, and chlorophyll stability index were improved with ZnSO4 application. Proline content was not affected by the ZnSO4 application. The activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase was increased by applying ZnSO4. The correlation of ZnSO4 application with the growth, yield, physiological and biochemical parameters shows that zinc sulphate application positively affects all the factors affected by soil salinity. Hence, applying ZnSO4 at the rate of 75 kg ha-1 can be compulsorily recommended for tomato growers of the region to overcome zinc deficiency and boost the fruit yield under saline conditions.

References

  1. ICAR- Central Soil Salinity Research Institute. Extent and distribution of salt-affected soils in India [internet]. Karnal: CSSRI; 2024 [cited 2024 Sept 18]. Available from: https://cssri.res.in/extent-and-distribution-of-salt-affected-soils-in-india/
  2. Sharma DK, Singh A. Salinity research in India-achievements, challenges and future prospects. Water Energy Int. 2015;58(6):35–45.
  3. Ali M, Kamran M, Abbasi GH, Saleem MH, Ahmad S, Parveen A, et al. Melatonin-induced salinity tolerance by ameliorating osmotic and oxidative stress in the seedlings of two tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivars. J Plant Growth Regul. 2021;40:2236–48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-020-10273-3
  4. Alzahib RH, Migdadi HM, Al Ghamdi AA, Alwahibi MS, Ibrahim AA, Al-Selwey WA. Assessment of morpho-physiological, biochemical and antioxidant responses of tomato landraces to salinity stress. Plants. 2021;10(4):696. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040696
  5. Moles TM, Pompeiano A, Reyes HT, Scartazza A, Guglielminetti L. The efficient physiological strategy of a tomato landrace in response to short-term salinity stress. Plant Physiol Biochem. 2016;109:262–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2016.10.008
  6. De Pascale S, Orsini F, Caputo R, Palermo MA, Barbieri G, Maggio A. Seasonal and multiannual effects of salinization on tomato yield and fruit quality. Funct Plant Biol. 2012;39(8):689–98. https://doi.org/10.1071/fp12152
  7. Costan A, Stamatakis A, Chrysargyris A, Petropoulos SA, Tzortzakis N. Interactive effects of salinity and silicon application on Solanum lycopersicum growth, physiology and shelf-life of fruit produced hydroponically. J Sci Food Agric. 2020;100:732–43. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.10076
  8. Liu FY, Li KT, Yang WJ. Differential responses to short-term salinity stress of heat-tolerant cherry tomato cultivars grown at high temperatures. Hortic Environ Biotechnol. 2014;55:79–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-014-0127-1
  9. Alam MS, Tester M, Fiene G, Mousa MAA. Early growth stage characterization and the biochemical responses for salinity stress in tomato. Plants. 2021;10(4):712. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040712
  10. Bacha H, Tekaya M, Drine S, Guasmi F, Touil L, Enneb H, et al. Impact of salt stress on morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters of Solanum lycopersicum cv. Microtom leaves. South Afr J Bot. 2017;108:364–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2016.08.018
  11. Chaichi MR, Keshavarz-Afshar R, Lu B, Rostamza M. Growth and nutrient uptake of tomato in response to application of saline water, biological fertilizer and surfactant. J Plant Nutr. 2017;40(4):457–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2016.1246567
  12. Ntanasi T, Karavidas I, Zioviris G, Ziogas I, Karaolani M, Fortis D, et al. Assessment of growth, yield and nutrient uptake of Mediterranean tomato landraces in response to salinity stress. Plants. 2023;12:3551. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12203551
  13. Rosca M, Mihalache G, Stoleru V. Tomato responses to salinity stress: From morphological traits to genetic changes. Front Plant Sci. 2023;14:1118383. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1118383
  14. Aktas H, Abak K, Ozturk L, Cakmak I. The effect of zinc on growth and shoot concentrations of sodium and potassium in pepper plants under salinity stress. Turkish J Agric For. 2006;30:407–12. https://doi.org/10.3906/tar-0609-2
  15. Nadeem F, Azhar M, Anwar-ul-Haq M, Sabir M, Samreen T, Tufail A, et al. Comparative response of two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars to applied zinc and manganese for mitigation of salt stress. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr. 2020;20:2059–72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-020-00275-1
  16. Mushtaq NU, Alghamdi KM, Saleem S, Tahir I, Bahieldin A, Henrissat B, et al. Exogenous zinc mitigates salinity stress by stimulating proline metabolism in proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.). Front Plant Sci. 2023;14:1053869. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1053869
  17. Tufail A, Li H, Naeem A, Li, T. Leaf cell membrane stability-based mechanisms of zinc nutrition in mitigating salinity stress in rice. Plant Biol. 2018;20(2):338–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/plb.12665
  18. Wei C, Jiao Q, Agathokleous E, Liu H, Li G, Zhang J, et al. Hormetic effects of zinc on growth and antioxidant defense system of wheat plants. Sci Total Environ. 2022;807:150992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150992
  19. Hassan UM, Aamer M, Chattha UM, Haiying T, Shahzad B, Barbanti L, et al. The critical role of zinc in plants facing the drought stress. Agri. 2020;10(9):396. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10090396
  20. Jackson ML. Soil chemical analysis. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India Private Limited; 1973.
  21. Subbiah BV, Asija GL. A rapid procedure for the estimation of available nitrogen in soil. Curr Sci. 1956;25:259–60.
  22. Olsen SR, Cole CV, Watanable FS, Dean LA. Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium carbonate. Circular USDA. 1954;939:1–22
  23. Stanford S, English L. Use of flame photometer in rapid soil tests of potassium and calcium. Agron J. 1949;41:446–47. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1949.00021962004100090012x
  24. Lindsay WL, Norvell WA. Development of DTPA soil test for zinc, iron, manganese and copper. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1978;42:421–28. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1978.03615995004200030009x
  25. Montero FJ, De Juan JA, Cuesta A, Brasa A. Non-destructive method to estimate leaf area in Vitis vinifera L. Hort Sci. 2000;35:396–98. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.35.4.696
  26. Arnon DI. Copper enzymes in isolated chloroplasts. Polyphenol oxidase in Beta vulgaris. Plant Physiol. 1949;24:1. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.24.1.1
  27. Murthy KS, Majumdhar. Modification of technique for determination of chlorophyll stability index in relation to studies of drought resistance in rice. Curr Sci. 1962;31:470–71.
  28. Sairam RK, Srivastava GC, Agarwal S, Meena RC. Differences in antioxidant activity in response to salinity stress in tolerant and susceptible wheat genotypes. Biol Plant. 2005;49: 85–
  29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-005-5091-2
  30. Chandlee JM, Scandalios JG. Analysis of variants affecting the catalase developmental program in maize scutellum. Theoret App Gene. 1984;69(1):71–77. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00262543
  31. Marklund S, Marklund G. Involvement of the superoxide anion radical in the autoxidation of pyrogallol and a convenient assay for superoxide dismutase. Eur J Biochem. 1974;47: 469–74. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1432-1033.1974.tb03714.x
  32. Bates LS, Waldren RP, Teare ID. Rapid determination of free proline for water-stress studies. Plant Soil. 1973;39(1):205–07. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00018060
  33. AOAC. Official methods of analysis of analytical chemists. Washington: Association of the Official Analytical Chemists; 1980.
  34. Gomez KA, Gomez AA. Statistical procedures for agricultural research. New York: John Wiley and Sons; 1984.
  35. Daneshbakhsh B, Khoshgoftarmanesh AH, Shariatmadari H, Cakmak I. Phytosiderophore release by wheat genotypes differing in zinc deficiency tolerance grown with Zn-free nutrient solution as affected by salinity. J Plant Physiol. 2013;170(1):41–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2012.08.016
  36. Saleh J, Maftoun M, Safarzadeh S, Gholami A. Growth, mineral composition and biochemical changes of broad bean as affected by sodium chloride and zinc levels and sources. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal. 2009;40:3046–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103620903261619
  37. Tolay I. The impact of different Zinc (Zn) levels on growth and nutrient uptake of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown under salinity stress. PLoS ONE. 2021;16(2):e0246493. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246493
  38. Vidhya D, Indhumathi K, Gurusamy K, Paramaguru P, Geethanjali S. Assessment of genetic variability for growth and yield traits of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii L. Sperg) under sodic soil. Biol Forum. 2022;14(2):912–16.
  39. Mansour E, Moustafa ES, Desoky ESM, Ali MM, Yasin MA, Attia A, et al. Multidimensional evaluation for detecting salt tolerance of bread wheat genotypes under actual saline field growing conditions. Plants. 2020;9:1324. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9101324
  40. Mahmoud ESA, Hassanin MA, Borham TI, Emara EIR. Tolerance of some sugar beet varieties to water stress. Agric Water Manag. 2018;201:144–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2018.01.024
  41. Al-Harbi HFA, Abdelhaliem E, Araf NM. Modulatory effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on gamma radiation-induced genotoxicity in Vicia faba (Fabeaceae). Gen Mol Res. 2019;18(1):18232. https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr18232
  42. Saleem S, Mushtaq N, Tahir I, UlRehman R. Zinc mediated modulation of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle for salinity stress mitigation in foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.). J Soil Sci Plant Nutr. 2023;23:5718–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-023-01436-8
  43. Weisany W, Sohrabi Y, Heidari G, Siosemardeh A, Badakhshan H. Effects of zinc application on growth, absorption and distribution of mineral nutrients under salinity stress in soybean (Glycine max L.). J Plant Nutr. 2014;37(14):2255–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2014.920386
  44. Moradi S, Jahanban L. Salinity stress alleviation by Zn as soil and foliar applications in two rice cultivars. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal. 2018;49(20):2517–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2018.1526941
  45. Iqbal MN, Rasheed R, Ashraf MY, Ashraf MA, Hussain I. Exogenously applied zinc and copper mitigate salinity effect in maize (Zea mays L.) by improving key physiological and biochemical attributes. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2018;25:23883–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2383-6
  46. Shao J, Tang W, Huang K, Ding C, Wang H, Zhang W, et al. How does zinc improve salinity tolerance? Mechanisms and future prospects. Plants. 2023;12(18):3207. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12183207
  47. Bybordi A. Zinc, nitrogen and salinity interaction on agronomic traits and some qualitative characteristic of canola. Afr J Biotechnol. 2011;10(74):16813–25 https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB11.2386
  48. Rai KP, Jajoo A. Priming with zinc oxide nanoparticles improve germination and photosynthetic performance in wheat. Plant Physiol Biochem. 2021;160:341–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.01.032
  49. Singh A, Sengar RS, Rajput VD, Agrawal S, Ghazaryan K, Minkina T, et al. Impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles on seed germination characteristics in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under salinity stress. J Ecol Eng. 2023;24(10):142–56. https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/169142

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.