The effects of salinization of nutrient solutions with NaCl, Ca(NO3)(2
) and KNO3 on selected root, leaf and yield parameters of five tomato
cultivars were investigated under greenhouse condition. Results of the
study showed that addition of 50 mM NaCl to nutrient solution signifi
cantly reduced root volume and fresh weight, calcium and potassium con
centrations, leaf number and fresh weight, as well as fruit yield. Add
ition of calcium and potassium, either alone or in combination with ea
ch other, to saline nutrient solution increased root volume, fresh wei
ght and calcium concentration, leaf fresh weight and fruit yield per p
lant. Moreover, root potassium concentration and leaf fresh weight inc
reased when 20 mM Ca(NO3)(2) was added to saline nutrient solution but
not with 2 mM KNO3. Leaf number, on the other hand, increased with K
but not with Ca application to the saline nutrient solution. Of the fi
ve cultivars screened, 'Pearson' showed the best performance followed
by 'Montecarlo', 'UC 82L', 'Pakmore' and 'Strain B' in decreasing orde
r.