Sml. Rahman et al., Effect of water stress on growth, yield and eco-physiological responses offour tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivars, J JPN S HOR, 68(3), 1999, pp. 499-504
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Plant Sciences
Journal title
JOURNAL OF THE JAPANESE SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE
The effect of water stress on the growth, yield, and various morphological
characteristics related to yield and eco- physiological responses of tomato
was studied in two drought- tolerant cultivars, 'TM 0126' (TM) and 'VF- 13
4-1-2' (VF) and two drought- sensitive ones,'Kyokko' (KK) and 'Ratan' (RT).
Water stress decreased yield, flower number, fruit set percentage and dry
matter production in all cultivars, but the reduction was greater in drough
t- sensitive cultivars than in tolerant ones. Photosynthetic rate (Pr), tra
nspiration rate (Tr), leaf water potential (psi(w)), and water use efficien
cy (WUE) were reduced, and leaf temperature (Tl) and stomatal resistance (r
(s)) were increased by water stress in all cultivars. The reduction of Pr,
Tr, psi(w) and WUE, however, was less pronounced in tolerant cultivars than
in sensitive ones, whereas the increase of TI and r(s) was more conspicuou
s in tolerant cultivars than in sensitive ones. After re- watering, all the
se eco -physiological responses returned to near normal state, but the reco
very was more rapid and complete in tolerant cultivars than in sensitive on
es. The better performances of tolerant cultivars under water stress and re
covery after re- watering are attributed to the ability of plants to mainta
in a better water status and minimize the reduction of photosynthesis.