Enhancing Tomato Growth and Quality Under Deficit Irrigation with Silicon Application

Summary

This greenhouse trial evaluated how deficit irrigation (70% field capacity) combined with silicon and calcium biostimulant application affects chemical composition and fruit quality of greenhouse tomatoes. Deficit irrigation and biostimulant application generally increased free sugars and organic acid content, though they reduced α-tocopherol and carotenoid concentrations compared to full irrigation. The authors conclude that silicon and calcium application under deficit irrigation represents a sustainable strategy to maintain tomato yield and quality whilst reducing water consumption and mitigating climate change impacts on horticultural crops.

Regional applicability

Findings from this controlled greenhouse trial may have limited direct applicability to outdoor UK field conditions, where tomato cultivation is predominantly protected or seasonal. However, the deficit irrigation strategy and biostimulant approach could inform protected cropping practices in the UK, particularly as water scarcity and climate variability increase pressure on horticultural producers to adopt more resource-efficient techniques.

Key measures

Proximate composition, fructose, glucose, malic acid, citric acid, α-tocopherol, lycopene, β-carotene, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, total phenolic content, flavonoid content, antioxidant activity (TBARS and OxHLIA assays), fruit yield

Outcomes reported

The study measured effects of deficit irrigation (70% field capacity) and silicon/calcium biostimulant application on greenhouse-grown tomato chemical composition, including proximate composition, soluble sugars, organic acids, carotenoids, fatty acids, phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. Silicon and calcium application under deficit irrigation improved yield and fruit quality whilst reducing water inputs.

Topic tags