Summary
This controlled greenhouse trial investigated how elevated electrical conductivity (EC) of hydroponic nutrient solution—applied either immediately or 4 weeks after flower anthesis—affected phytonutrient and sugar accumulation in ripening tomatoes (cv. Durinta). High EC treatments increased lycopene concentration by 30–40% and TSS in ripe fruits, with similar benefits whether applied early or late, whereas chlorophyll degradation proceeded independently of EC conditions. The findings suggest that osmotic stress from high EC promotes lycopene synthesis through reduced fruit water flux whilst chlorophyll loss follows a developmental timeline.
Regional applicability
This work, conducted under controlled greenhouse conditions, offers potential application to UK protected horticulture and commercial tomato production systems. Findings on managing nutrient solution EC to enhance lycopene and sugar content may be transferable to UK glasshouse operations, though local cultivar selection, growing conditions, and economic viability of high-EC protocols would require evaluation.
Key measures
Lycopene concentration (mg g⁻¹ dry matter), chlorophyll concentration, fructose and glucose concentrations, total soluble solids (TSS, %), measured weekly over 8 weeks post-anthesis
Outcomes reported
The study measured lycopene, chlorophyll, sugar (fructose and glucose), and total soluble solids (TSS) concentrations in hydroponic tomato fruits at different ripeness stages under varying electrical conductivity regimes. High electrical conductivity treatments enhanced lycopene concentration by 30–40% and increased TSS and sugar content in ripe fruits compared to low electrical conductivity controls.
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