Ammonium to Total Nitrogen Ratio Interactive Effects with Salinity Application on Solanum lycopersicum Growth, Physiology, and Fruit Storage in a Closed Hydroponic System

Summary

Using high-salinity water for plant fertigation may have negative consequences for plant growth, overall yield and crop quality. In the present study, the effects of NaCl-salinity in conjunction with three different ammonium to nitrate ratios (Nr) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) plant growth, nutritional status, yield, fruit quality and postharvest storage were examined. The electrical conductivity (EC) was increased by adding NaCl into the nutrient solution and three different Nr ratios were applied, Nr0.05, Nr0.10 and Nr0.15, while the other macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations were constant in all treatments. The EC of the nutrient solution supplied to the plants was 2.2 mS cm−1 at the low salinity treatments and 7.5 mS cm−1 at the high salinity treatments. Increased sa