Effect of growth regulators on productivity and quality of tomato crop under Volga delta conditions

Vegetable crops of Russia. 2019;(6):36-40. (In Russ.)

T omato considered a significant vegetable crop that plays a prominent role in the field of human health – as raw or culinary processes – due to diversity vitamins, acids, sugar, and minerals. At present, there are large numbers of tomato cultivars with a wide range of morphological and sensorial characteristics which determine their use. There are studies on morphological, physiological and nutritional properties of tomato from different regions [9]. Nevertheless, still, now there are no reports on Russian tomato cultivars.

Farmers often use some chemical substances which have similar structure and activity with endogenous plant hormone called (exogenous) as a low-cost alternative to regulate plant growth and increase yield. Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) have a wide category of compounds that can promote, inhibit or change plant processes at very low concentrations. Thus, the use of PGRs has become an important component of the agro-technical procedures for most cultivated species. New, natural and synthetic substances are still being discovered [3]. Effect many of these substances not yet been studied on growth and quality of crops, in light of this, our research aims to study responses of two tomato cultivars for different types of growth regulators.

Material and methods

The study was carried out on two Russian tomatoes cultivars (Moriana and Superjol) by applying four types of growth regulators in addition to control's treatment (distilled water). The materials which applied as follow; Krezacin: Active substances (Orthocresoxyacetic acid triethanolammonium salt), applied dose as active substance (10 ml); Chitosan: Active substances (Chitin), applied dose as active substance (40 ml); Zircon: Active substances (Hydroxycinnamic acid), applied dose as active substance (30 ml); Energene: Active substances (Humic Acid), applied dose as active substance (300 ml). Each type applied three times on both cultivars (Soaking tomato seeds before sowing, spraying on plants at vegetative phase, spraying on plants at flowering phase with three replications.

Collecting data

Morphological and physiological characteristic such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index, weight of shoots and leaves (fresh and dry) were measured at both of vegetation, flowering and fruiting phase. Length of root system measured at vegetation phase. Leaf Area Index measured using non-destructive method. Biochemical properties were evaluated in the fruit ripening stage; to determine dry matter fruits weighed before being oven dried at 105 ° C. The percentage was then determined by the difference in weights before and after oven drying; Sugar content was determined by a refractometer with a range of 0 to 32 ° Brix. Acidity (TTA) of the tomato was measured by the methods described by [12]. Ascorbic acid was determined by the 2,6-dichlorophe-nolindophenol method. Carotenoids and Nitrates were determined on the basis of the standards of association of analytical communities. Data were statistically analyzed with the help of Costat program followed by Turkey’s HSD test at (P<0.05).

Results and Discussions

Germination percentage (Table №1) significantly depends on both tomato cultivars and applied growth regulators. The highest percent (83.10%) observed on Moriana when soaked on Enrergene, while treated seeds of cultivar Superjol by “Chitosan” registered the minimum percent (74.71%) which not differs from the result of “Krezacin х control” on each cultivar.

Characteristics tomato plant at vegetation phase: Data in Table (№1) showed that tomato plant height influenced by the interaction between cultivar and growth regulators. Generally, applying growth regulators improved the height of tomato plant comparing to control. The interaction between Superjol and Energene gave the highest plants (22.3 cm), while the shortest plant (17.8 cm) obtained from non-treated Moriana seeds; Soaking seeds on Krezacin inhibited elongation epicotyl and hypocotyl in both cultivars (6.6-5.8 cm), while other treatments were statistically similar within each cultivar. The shortness epicotyl and hypocotyl maybe due to the presence of ethylene in Krezacin.

Table 1. The effect of growth regulators on germination percentage and Tomato plant characteristics at (vegetation phase)

Parameters tomato plant	Germination Percentage, %	Plant Height, cm	Epicotyl and Hypocotyl elongation, cm	№ of Leaves /plant	Fresh weight, g	Dry mater, g
Control	78.9 b	17.8 d	7.4 a	11.6 a	10.8 cd	2.2 b
Krezacin	79.2 b	19.8 bc	6.6 b	11.7 a	10.7 cd	2.3 b
Moriana     Chitosan	79.7 b	18.8 c	7.5 a	11.6 a	11.1 bc	2.3 b
Zircon	81.6 ab	20.1 bc	7.4 a	11.7 a	11.6 ab	2.5 ab
Energene	83.1 a	20.7 b	7.3 a	11.8 a	11.9 a	2.7 a
Control	74.7 c	19.7 bc	6.3 b	10.6 b	10.1 e	1.7 d
Krezacin	75.0 c	19.6 bc	5.8 c	10.8 b	10.2 e	1.8 cd
Superjol      Chitosan	74.5 c	19.1 bc	6.3 b	10.9 b	10.3 de	2.0 bc
Zircon	79.4 b	21.9 a	6.5 b	10.8 b	10.7 cd	2.1 bc
Energene	79.1 b	22.3 a	6.4 b	11.0 b	10.9 c	2.3 b

Means within the same column followed by a common letter (s) are not significantly different at P ≤ 0.05

Fig. 1. The effect of growth regulators on root length (cm) at vegetation phase

Fig. 2. The effect of growth regulators on the height of tomato plant (cm) at flowering phase

Fig. 3. The effect of growth regulators on Dry matter (gm) of Arial parts at fruiting phase

Means within the same figure followed by a common letter (s) are not significantly different at P ≤ 0.05

Applying growth regulators didn’t increase the number of leaves per plant in each cultivar comparing to its control treatment, whereas Moriana has the highest number of leaves per plant (11.6-11.8) comparing to Supergol (10.6-11.0), this is agree with the results of [11], who reported that the genetic material of crop cultivars affect the nature of growth such as plant height, number of leaves and branches number; Soaking tomato seeds on Energene solution improved fresh weight, dry weight and root length (Fig. 1) of tomato plant, and the interaction between Energene and Moriana gave the maximum results in these parameters (11.9 g, 2.6 g, and 10.4 cm, respectively).

Our results also agree with [13] who reported that Energene enhanced the absorption of mineral nutrients by plants, increased the permeability of membranes of root cells to tomato cultures; Leaf Aria Index (LAI, cm2) was measured to assess the impact of growth regulators to maximize the use of sunlight and improve the efficiency of photosynthesis process in both cultivars. Data showed that cultivar Superjol had a higher rate of LAI (43.8-44.6 cm2) than Moriana (41.2-42.4 cm2). Applying growth regulators didn’t effect on LAI of Superjol comparing to its control. Whereas, soaking Moriana’ seed on chitosan reduced leaf aria index (41.2 cm2) comparing to other treatments.

Characteristics tomato plant at flowering phase: Applying growth regulators affected on morphological and physiological parameters of tomato plant (Table № 2) comparing to control treatment such as Plant height (Fig. 2), № of leaves/ plant, leaf area, Fresh weight and Dry weight (P<0.05). Applying Energene enhanced tomato parameters in both cultivars comparing to other doses, and Moriana cultivar had a maximum results on № of leaves/ plant (32.6), Fresh weight (158.6 g) and Dry weight (31.0 g) whereas,

Table 2. The effect of growth regulators on morphological and physiological Parameters of two tomato cultivars at flowering phase and fruiting phase

	Morphological characteristics of tomato plants at flowering phase				Morphological characteristics of tomato plants at fruiting phase
	№ of leaves/ plant	LAI, cm2	Fresh weight, g	Dry weight, g	Plant height, cm	№ of leaves/ plant	LAI, cm2	Fresh weight, g
Control	30.6 bc	103.4 d	155.1 bc	29.9 b	72.5 g	54.2 c	120.8 cd	237.4 b
Krezacin	31.9 ab	106.0 d	152.9 c	27.3de	72.7 g	54.9 b	120.1 cd	233.2 c
Moriana Chitosan	32.1 ab	103.7 d	154.5 bc	27.8 d	72.5 g	54.7 bc	121.0 c	234.9 c
Zircon	31.8 ab	105.6 d	156.8 ab	28.7 c	74.3 f	56.8 a	117.5 d	239.1 b
Energene	32.6 a	106.2 d	158.6 a	31.0 a	76.0 e	56.3 a	115.2 d	241.9 a
Control	28.3 d	128.6 ab	136.2 ef	24.8 g	82.9 cd	46.2 f	148.8 a	222.2 e
Krezacin	28.0 d	127.3 ab	135.3 f	24.7 g	82.3 d	47.2 e	144.6 b	221.7 e
Superjol Chitosan	27.8 d	125.9 b	137.2 ef	25.1 g	83.9 bc	46.3 f	150.1 a	220.3 e
Zircon	28.4 d	130.2 ab	138.7 de	26.2 f	84.9 ab	47.1 e	147.0 ab	225.5 d
Energene	29.1 cd	132.1 a	140.5 d	26.9 ef	85.6 a	48.2 d	144.7 b	227.4 d

Means within the same column followed by a common letter (s) are not significantly different at P ≤ 0.05

Table 3. The effect of growth regulators on quantity and quality Parameters of two tomato fruits cultivars

	Flowering and crop parameters of tomato plants				Chemical analyses of tomato fruits
	N. flowers/ plant	N. fruit / plant	Fruit weight, g	Plant yield, kg	Dry matter,%	TSS (°Brix)	Acidity, %	Carotenoids, %
Control	49.5 a	33.6 c	63.0 e	2.10 bc	5.5 c	4.31 c	0.45 c	3.57 b
Krezacin	49.5 a	34.0 bc	65.2 d	2.22 b	6.7 a	4.85 ab	0.53 a	4.14 a
Moriana Chitosan	49.8 a	34.6 b	65.0 d	2.25 b	6.4 a	4.52 bc	0.52 a	4.12 a
Zircon	50.4 a	34.5 b	68.0 c	2.35 a	5.9 b	4.77 ab	0.47 bc	4.10 a
Energene	51.0 a	35.6 a	68.1 c	2.44 a	6.5 a	5.10 a	0.48 b	4.09 a
Control	45.5 c	28.3 f	71.4 b	1.97 c	5.2 c	4.13 d	0.38 d	3.26 c
Krezacin	46.4 c	29.2 ef	71.5 b	2.08 bc	6.4 a	4.75 ab	0.40 d	3.55 b
Superjol Chitosan	45.8 c	29.1 ef	71.9 ab	2.07 bc	6.1 ab	4.25 cd	0.38 d	3.60 b
Zircon	46.1 b	29.9 de	72.3 ab	2.16 b	5.9 b	4.60 ab	0.39 d	3.53 b
Energene	46.2 b	30.4 d	72.6 a	2.23 b	6.2 a	4.73ab	0.40 d	3.56 b

Means within the same column followed by a common letter (s) are not significantly different at P ≤ 0.05

Superjol gave highest values on Plant height (66.2 cm) and leaf area (32.6 cm2). The minimum results of Plant height (52.3 cm) and leaf area (103.4 cm2) obtained from nontreated Moriana, and the combination between Krezacin and Superjol registered the minimum Fresh (135.3 g) and Dry (24.7 g) weight of Arial parts. The least number of leaves per plant obtained from “Chitosan” x Superjol (27.8). Our results in harmony with those observed from [2] reported that, applying Energene significantly increased mineral nutrients uptake, stimulated chlorophyll content and accumulation of minerals in leaves.

Characteristics tomato plant at fruiting phase: Data in table № 2 showed that, significant variations in tomato morphological and physiological traits (Plant height, № of leaves/ plant, leaf area, Fresh weight and Dry weight) during fruiting phase as affected by both factors. In its entirety, the maximum values of № of leaves/ plant (56.8), Fresh weight (241.9 g) and Dry weight (74.4 g) obtained from Moriana applied with Energene (Fig. 3). On the other hand, Superjol gave the maximum means for Plant height (Enregene – 85.6 cm) and LAI (Chitosan –150.1 cm2). The vegetative growth represented on LAI of tomato plant continued when Chitosan applied similarly to control treatments, while reduced, as an indicator of the transition to flowering and fruiting stages, when other growth regulators applied (Krezacin, Zircon and Energene).

Flowering and Crop Parameters: A significant variation was found on the number of flowers per plant due to application of plant growth regulators. The maximum number of flowers per plant (51.1) was obtained from cultivar Moriana

Fig. 4. The effect of growth regulators on Fruit set of tomato plants

Fig. 5. The effect of growth regulators on Ascorbic acid contents of tomato plants

Fig. 6. The effect of growth regulators on Nitrate contents of tomato plants

Means within the same figure followed by a common letter (s) are not significantly different at P ≤ 0.05

treated by Energene, while the minimum number of flowers per plant (45.5) was recorded from Superjol (non-treated). Applying Energene and Zircon produced a higher number of flowers per plant over other Superjol’s treatments, while same data obtained in all Moriana’s treatments. The maximum number of fruits per plant (35.6) was recorded from combination between Moriana x Energene while the minimum number of fruits per plant (28.3) was recorded from “Superjol x control”. Moriana recorded the highest fruit set’s percentage (from 67.1 to 69.8%) in its all treatments, while Superjol’s treatments located from 62.2 to 65.8% (Fig. 4).

Resulted superior in respect of a number of fruits per plant was found after applying Energene might be caused that, growth regulators apparently reduced the heat effect and thus increased the number of fruits set in tomatoes [10].The maximum average fruit weight obtained from cultivar Superjol (Energene – 72.6 g) whereas the minimum average observed in Moriana treatments (Energene – 68.1 g). In both cultivars, Energene enhanced tomato yield comparing to other doses, whereas Moriana gave the maximum yield per plant (Energene – 2.44 kg). These results in harmonywith [6] they noted that a higher weight of fresh fruit may be associated with the possibility of possessing higher stomata conductivity, better genetic structure and a higher potential for the transport of photosynthetic materials within plants.

Chemical Analyses of tomato fruits: Data show that (Table № 3) applying different growth regulators enhanced dry matter over control in each cultivar, and Krezacin recorded the maximum percent in both cultivars (Moriana – 6.7%; Superjol – 6.4%); TSS content of “Moriana x Energene” was the highest (5.10 ° Brix), while “Superjol x Control” was the least sugar contents (4.13 ° Brix). All of the applied growth regulators enhanced TSS content of tomato fruits comparing to their control treatment within cultivar. Our results agree with those obtained from [4] who observed that the values commonly obtained for soluble solids of different cultivars of tomato fruit range from (4-6 ° Brix); Acidity was significantly different between the tomato cultivars tested and varied from (0.38-0.40%) in Superjol fruits to (0.45-0.53%) on Moriana fruits.

In Superjol, applying growth regulators didn’t effect on tomato fruits acidity comparing to control, while in Moriana’s treatments Energene had a maximum acidity percent (0.53%). Our result is in agreement with [8], who evaluated acidity in the fruit of 12 tomatoes genotypes and reported that fruit acidity varied from (0.256 to 0.704 mg/100g); Changes on Carotenoids content depends on both cultivars and the applicable materials. Generally, Moriana had a higher (3.57-4.14%) than Superjol (3.26-3.60%). Using growth regulators improved Carotenoids contents in each cultivar compared to its control and all applied material statistically found similar. Our results are consistent with [5] who found that all the differences observed in the antioxidant content of tomato cultivars such as carotene are associated with the genotype, as well as with growth regulators.

The range of Ascorbic Acid (Fig. 5) on Moriana was (20.0-25.6 mg/100 g), while on Superjol located between (17.3-21.0 mg/100 g). Applying growth regulators (Krezacin, Zircon, and Energene) enhanced AA contents, and Energene gave the highest concentration in both cultivars (Moriana – 25.6; Superjol – 21.0 mg/100 g) comparing to “Chitosan” which shared the minimum results with non-treated variants (Moriana – 20.3; Superjol – 17.6 mg/100 g). This result is consistent with [14], who reported a significant improvement in Ascorbic content as a result of applying Energene on tomato plants.

According to WHO, adults consume 20-70 mg nitrate daily, the maximum amount of nitrate daily entering the body should be less than 3.65 mg/kg [7]. The content of nitrates in tomatoes can be increased depending on various parameters associated with the plant and the environment, such as varieties, maturity, temperature and nutrients. Applying Krezacin reduced the amount of Nitrates (Moriana – 21.4; Superjol –18.9 mg/kg) comparing to other variants (Fig. 6), while the maximum concentration of Nitrate obtained from “Zircon” (Moriana – 27.6; Superjol – 24.9 mg/kg). Naturally, nitrate is not toxic to humans; however, the conversion of nitrate to nitrite in the human body and its accumulation in high concentrations is very dangerous for the organism [1].

Conclusion: The established patterns of decrease in tomato plants under the influence of growth regulators of the effect of abiotic stresses (high temperatures, salinization, drought, and high intensity of solar insolation) suggest a positive effect of the studied growth regulators on nonspecific protective plant reactions. This is evident Energene applied to cultivar Moriana, which improved most of the vegetative parameters, yield (2.44 kg) and quality of fruits (TSS - 5.1 ° Brix; Vitamin C - 25.6 mg /100 g).

Об авторах:

Мостафа Махмуд Абделькадер – PhD (Horticulture),

Сохаг Университет, Египет

Mostafa Mahmoud Abdelkader – PhD (Horticulture),

Egypt, Sohag University, Faculty of Agriculture, Horticulture department

Mikhail Yu. Puchkov – Doctor of Sci. (Agriculture)

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