Effects of saline nutrient solutions on the growth and accumulation of mineral elements in some tomato cultivars¹

Tomato cultivars were grown in a saline nutrient culture system to investigate growth and fruiting responses in relation to the application of 3 mM potassium (K), 1.5 mM phosphorus (P), and 10 mM calcium (Ca). The deleterious effects of salinity on tomato stem growth and fruit yield were ameliorated following the addition of K, P, and Ca to the nutrient solution. Potassium levels in tomato leaves were increased 4-fold compared to control plants in the presence of applied K. The use of K resulted in an increase in Na content, however, a comparatively low level of sodium (Na) was obtained in treatments receiving K, Ca, and P. Calcium content was greater than sufficiency levels in all treatments, whereas magnesium (Mg) declined with the increase in salinity. The amount of P in tomato leaves was increased 4–5 fold when the nutrient solution was supplemented with 1.5 mM P. Correlation of vegetative parameters, such as stem height and leaf growth to salinity, revealed no significant responses, however commercial parameters such as total soluble solids and fruit weight correlated significantly with the saline nutrient treatments.