جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « Tomato » در نشریات گروه « باغبانی »

Various methods of stress directly affected the growth and production yield of numerous plants. For example, environmental stress reduces the tomato manufacturing by the disrupting its natural metabolism, or, salinity stresses affect the it is growth and development from the germination stage to the fruit ripening stage. Salinity in tomatoes by stimulating the biosynthesis of growth regulators such as ethylene and abscisic acid leads to the acceleration of the aging of the leaves. Therefore, development of different methods to induce salinity stress tolerance in plants is necessary. Some approaches were studied to develop the salinity tolerant plants such as genetic breeding, environmental improvements and usage of phytohormones and signal molecules. Salicylic acid or orthohydroxybenzoic acid plays an important role in regulating the physiological and biochemical responses of plants to stress conditions, which improves the plant's resistance to adverse environmental conditions. For instance, salicylic acid is a facile and effective way to increase plant productivity under salt stress conditions. Considering the positive effects of salicylic acid in modulating the effects of salinity, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of salicylic acid’s usage in modulating the harmful effects of salinity on some vegetative, physiological, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of two tomato cultivars of Baneh local mass and Semi Dwarf line.

To investigate the effect of salicylic acid in modulating the effects of salinity stress in tomato, a factorial experiment was conducted in the form of a randomized complete block design, with 12 treatments, in 3 replications and with a total of 36 experimental units in the hydroponic greenhouse of the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, and university of Tabriz. The treatments included two levels of salicylic acid (0 and 1 mM) and salinity levels (0, 35 and 70 mM NaCl) on two tomato cultivars of Baneh and Semi Dwarf.

The results showed that in Baneh and Semi Dwarf cultivars, the increase in salinity levels caused a decrease in vegetative indices, meanwhile the treatment of salicylic acid along with salt stress increased same indices. Also, salt stress caused yield reduction in both Baneh and Semi Dwarf cultivars. By examining the qualitative indicators, it was observed that titratable acidity and vitamin C increased with salt stress and salicylic acid treatment in both cultivars. In terms of physiological indicators, the amount of proline increased at different salinity levels with salicylic acid treatment, but the amount of leaf chlorophyll index decreased with the increase of same condition.

The results of testing the effect of salicylic acid and the effects of salinity stress on vegetative, quantitative, qualitative and physiological indicators in Baneh and Semi Dwarf tomatoes showed a remarkable difference in terms of significance. In terms of vegetative traits; Plant height, leaf area index, shoot wet in Baneh and Semi Dwarf cultivars decreased with increasing salinity levels of vegetative indices, but salicylic acid treatment along with salinity stress increased same indices. Indicators such as yield, fresh weight of fruit, and percentage of dry matter of fruit showed different responses to different levels of salinity and salicylic acid treatment. The fresh weight of fruit increased with the application of salicylic acid. Also, salt stress caused an increase in the percentage of dry matter of the fruit. But salt stress caused yield reduction in both Baneh and Semi Dwarf cultivars. In terms of quality indicators; the amount of titratable acidity and vitamin C increased with salt stress and salicylic acid treatment in both cultivars. In terms of physiological indicators, the level of proline increased across various salinity levels with salicylic acid treatment. However, the leaf chlorophyll index decreased with rising salinity levels, even in the presence of salicylic acid treatment. Overall, salinity stress caused a decrease in most analyzed traits in the Baneh and Semi Dwarf cultivars. Nevertheless, it led to improvements in certain quality traits. Additionally, salicylic acid treatment enhanced the mentioned indices in most of the examined traits in both cultivars. Therefore, considering the positive effects of salicylic acid treatment on Baneh and Semi Dwarf cultivars under salinity stress conditions, its use is recommended.

Tomato is a self-pollinated crop and has a high potential for heterosis production. Tomato has a wide range of diversity in terms of vegetative and fruit traits. Therefore, learning information about the genetics of the tomato plant and the inheritance of its various traits to the next generation will help plant breeders to use appropriate breeding methods to improve them. One of the methods that is used to know the genetic structure of plants, identify parental lines and determine their combining ability is line × tester analysis. Line × tester analysis provides information about general and specific combining of parents and can be useful in estimating different types of gene effects such as additive and non-additive effects. In most of the developed countries, many researches have been done in relation to hybrid production and combining ability among tomato lines, and sometimes the inferred results are different from each other. In Iran, few studies have been done about crossing cultivars and their hybrids, and most of the seeds used by farmers are imported from other countries. Therefore, this study intends to evaluate genetic variance components, general and specific combining ability of some quantitative traits in a number of tomato lines and testers and their hybrids by using line × tester analysis.
 
This research was conducted in Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Mazandaran Province, Iran in 2022. Two modified cultivars SC and V as lines and three modified cultivars L, R and MZ as testers were crossed with each other to create F1 hybrids. Six F1 genotypes and their parents (11 treatments in total) were cultivated in the farm in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The evaluated traits included the number of days to the first flowering, earliness, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant (g), fruit yield (g), fruit length and width (cm). In order to analyze the variance of the experimental design to search for diversity between treatments, to separate the effects of treatments into their components based on line × tester analysis, to mean comparison with Duncan's test, and also to calculate the general and specific combining ability, R statistical software was used. Also, in order to calculate additive and non-additive variances, Singh and Chaudhary's method was used.
 
The results of line × tester variance analysis showed that the mean squares of parents and testers were significant for all traits except fruit length and width, and the mean squares of crosses and lines were significant for all traits except fruit length. The effect of line × tester was significant for all traits except the number of fruits per plant and fruit length. The line of SC to improve the number of days to first flowering, earliness, plant height, fruit weight per plant, and fruit width, and the line of V to improve the number of fruit per plant were the best general combiners with testers. The tester of L for improve all traits except yield, and the tester of MZ for improve plant height were the best general combiners with the maternal lines. Among the crosses, the SC×L cross for improve earliness and fruit width, and the SC×R and V×MZ crosses for improve plant height and fruit weight per plant, respectively, were favorable specific combiners. The mean comparison of the genotypes for some important traits showed that among the parental cultivars, the line of SC and among the crosses, the SC×L genotype had the lowest means for the number of days to first flowering and earliness. Also, the line of SC for the number of fruits per plant and the SC×L genotype for fruit weight per plant, yield and fruit width had the highest means. Also, the estimation of additive and non-additive variances indicated that in plant height and fruit weight per plant traits, additive variance plays the main role. While for the traits of the number of days to first flowering, earliness and yield, the contribution of non-additive variance was more than the additive variance.
 
According to the results obtained from this study, in future projects it is recommended to use parents that have significant general combining ability (GCA) for traits. Because such parents easily transfer the trait to their next generation. In this way, the line of SC was a good general combiner for the number of days to first flowering, earliness, plant height, fruit weight per plant and fruit width, and the line of V was a good general combiner for the number of fruits per plant. Among the testers, the tester of L was a good general combiner for improve the number of days to first flowering, earliness, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant, and fruit width, and the tester of MZ recorded a high GCA for the plant height. Also, for the improvement of earliness and fruit width, the SC×L cross and for plant height and fruit weight per plant, SC×R and V×MZ crosses were favorable specific combiner. Mean comparison of genotypes showed that the SC×L cross is superior to its parents for the number of days to first flowering, earliness, fruit weight per plant, fruit yield, and fruit length and width. The traits of plant height and fruit weight per plant are more affected by additive variance, so the best breeding method to improve plant height and fruit weight per plant is selection from among the segregating population. The traits of number of days to first flowering, earliness and yield were affected by non-additive variance, so hybrid production is recommended to improve the mentioned traits.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important commercial food plant. Several factors affect the growth of tomatoes in the greenhouse, and one of them is proper planting density. Investigating and suggesting the best density in hydroponic cultivation can have a significant effect on production efficiency. Therefore, a factorial experiment was conducted in the hydroponic cultivation system based on completely randomized design with three replications and two treatment of cultivar (Dafnis, Izmono and Hirad) and density (at four density levels of 2, 2.5, 3 and 3.5 plants per m2) in the greenhouse of Gorgan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center. Characteristics of number of clusters per plant, number of flowers per cluster, percent of blossom drop, number of fruits per cluster, fruit yield per plant and per m2, number of fruits per plant, number of fruits per m2, average fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit length, pericarp thickness, uniform fruit ripening, distance between clusters, marketable yield, total soluble solids and pH of fruit juice were measured. According to the mean comparisons, the average yield per m2 at high plant density (3.5 plants per m2) in all three cultivars was significantly higher than others. With the increase of density from 3 to 3.5, from 2.5 to 3.5 and from 2 to 3.5 plants per m2, respectively, relative increases in yield per m2 of 2.4%, 28.6% and 43.1% in Hirad, 6.8%, 21.75%, 23.4% in Dafnis and 22.7%, 35% and 51% in Izmono were observed. With the increase of plant density, the percentage of blossom drop of plants decreased significantly. The highest total soluble solids content of one cultivar (Hirad) was observed in the highest density and two other cultivars were not affected. The pH of fruit juice of Dafnis and Izmono at a density of 3.5 plants per m2 was significantly lower than other treatments, but there was no difference for this trait in Hirad cultivar between different densities. The results of this study suggest to increase the density of tomato in hydroponic greenhouse in Golestan province up to 3.5 plants per m2.

In this study, the possibility of growing greenhouse tomato cv. Dafnis with saving water consumption through grafting on different rootstocks was investigated by studying photosynthesis and plant growth. The experiment was carried out in the form of split plots based on completely randomized design in which the main-plot was irrigation levels (irrigation intervals of 3, 6 and 9 days) and the sub-plot consisted of 9 different grafting combinations. After grafting and establishment of tomato plants in greenhouse, the plants were exposed to the irrigation levels for 4 months and all were irrigated up to field capacity. Photosynthesis parameters were measured in four stages and shoot and root dry weights were determined at the end of the experiment. Based on the results, photosynthetic parameters were reduced by the intensity and duration of drought stress. The experimental results showed that the rate of photosynthesis was the same in all grafting combinations 36 days after the start of irrigation levels. However, after 72 days, the rate of photosynthesis in the “Emperador” rootstock was higher than in the control. The chlorophyll fluorescence indices were not sensitive to show the effects of drought stress and the role of rootstocks. Cherry tomato rootstock, in addition to having an extensive root system than the other rootstocks, resulted in more shoot growth at all levels of irrigation, although the least reduction in root weight was observed in the local eggplant rootstock of Yazd. In general, it can be concluded that the photosynthesis in this experiment was more affected by the interaction of environmental factors and grafting and the rootstocks used did not play a significant role in this regard. Furthermore, root and shoot growth traits were more affected by genetic potential of rootstock, and photosynthetic activities of the plant had a minor influence on them.

Tomato is one of the most important crops, which is cultivated as seedlings. It is important to choose an economic and favorable cultivation medium for the production of good seedlings. In order to use the compost produced from palm pruning wastes as a substrate for the production of tomato seedlings, an experiment was carried out in the greenhouse conditions as completely randomized design with three replications in 2019-2018 at the research greenhouse of Soil and Water Research Institute. Five cultivation beds as treatments included: 1) compost produced from palm pruning wastes (palm peat) (PP), 2) peat moss (PM), 3) cocopeat (CP), 4) mixture of palm peat and peat moss (PP+PM), and 5) mixture of cocopeat and peat moss (CP+PM). Some plant indices, the concentration of plant nutrients and plant growth indicators were measured at the end of the growth period. The results showed that the highest amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (1.47% nitrogen, 0.18% phosphorus and 2.83% potassium) were observed in PM, CP and PP+PM treatments, respectively, which were significantly (p<0.01) different from other treatments. In terms of tomato seedling height, the best treatment was PM (8.34 cm), and PP (7.56 cm) and PP+PM (7.56 cm) were ranked second. The lowest seedling height was recorded in CP (5.37 cm). The highest and lowest values of root length were related to PP+PM (8.69 cm) and CP (6.62 cm), respectively, that were significantly (p<0.01) different. The economic results evaluation showed that palm peat is 50% cheaper than cocopeat and 100% cheaper than peat moss, and it can be used as a substitute for imported cocopeat and peat moss in tomato seedling cultivation.

Recently, the use bioregulators to ameliorate the effects of environmental stresses on agricultural products has been considered. This split plot experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design to investigate the moderating effect of some bioregulators on vegetative, biochemical and yield characteristics of greenhouse tomatoes under drought stress in the research greenhouse of University of Hormozgan. Experimental factors were three drought stress levels as the main factor, were include full irrigation as control, moderate and severe drought stress, respectively, irrigation of plants based on providing 100, 75 and 50% readily available water, and foliar application of 0.5 g per plant of biological compounds (the first time one day before applying drought stress and the second time before flowering begins) as a sub-factor including control (without the use of compounds), proline, chitosan and N-Succinyl and N, O dicarboxymethylate chitosan (NSC and NOC, respectively). Application of bioregulators at each water stress level increased the of proline content and catalase and peroxidase enzymes activity in comparison with the control, which in most cases the highest increase in enzyme activity related to NSC. Chitosan derivatives, on the other hand, were able to reduce the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide in tomato leaves. Among the biological compounds, NSC and chitosan had the greatest improving effect on the fruit yield via increasing the number and diameter of fruit. So that foliar application with NSC increased fruit yield in control, moderate and severe water stress by 5.33, 17.91 and 33.24%, respectively. Therefore, according to these results, under deficit irrigation conditions, chitosan and its derivatives can reduce the effects of drought stress on tomatoes more efficiently than proline.

Association of the plant with microorganisms such as dark septate endophytic fungi reduces the harmful effects of environmental stresses such as salinity. In this experiment, the effect of dark septate endophytes isolated from date palm roots on increasing salinity resistance of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Super cheif) was investigated. The experiment was performed as a factorial in a completely randomized design with two factors including the type of isolate at 13 levels [4-B, 8-B, 10-D, 11-C, 14-A, 15-D, 16-A, 19-F, 21-A, 22-C, 22-E, 39-D, control (PDA plug)], and salinity at 3 levels (zero, 50 and 100 mM sodium chloride) with 3 replications. Tomato plants were inoculated with fungal isolates separated from date palm roots under salinity. Based on ANOVA results, in symbiosis with fungal isolates of 4-B and 11-C, the negative effects of salinity (up to 100 mM and equivalent to 9.52 dS/m) on tomato biomass were reduced. At salinity of 100 mM, 4-B had the highest plant fresh weight and 11-C had the highest plant dry weight compared to other treatments and were 55.51 and 26.55% higher than the non-inoculated treatments, respectively. By increasing the salinity level up to 100 mM, isolates of 4-B, 8-D, 10-D and 11-C had high efficiency in decreasing sodium concentration, increasing potassium concentration and potassium to sodium ratio. Symbiosis with some fungi (10-D and 8-B) caused a significant increase in phosphorus concentration (19%) compared to non-inoculated plants. At different salinity levels, isolates of 11-C, 39-D and 10-D increased the leaf relative water content. Increase in salinity up to 50 mM (equivalent to 5.44 dS/m) was associated with increased endophytic dependency and isolates of 11-C and 4-B showed the highest increase (43%) compared to other isolates.

Hydrogen peroxide plays an important role in the response of plants to environmental signals. This experiment aimed to find the effect of hydrogen peroxide at four levels (0, 20, 40, and 80 μL L-1) on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of two tomato cultivars including "Newton" and "Cherry Santella” grown in the hydroponics. The experiment was conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with eight treatments and three replications. The results showed that the application of hydrogen peroxide significantly increased the vegetative characteristics and qualitative characteristics of tomato such as number of leaves, dry weight of leaves, fresh and dry weights of root, root volume, firmness and fruit juice pH. Maximum fresh weight of fruits was achieved at 80 μL L-1 concentration with a 58% higher than that of the control. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide increased fruit shelf life by 35% in "Cherry Santella" cultivar compared to control. The highest number of leaves, fresh and dry weights and root volume were observed at 80 μL L-1.  Fruit firmness and shelf life were increased at 40 μL L-1 concentration. These findings suggest that the concentrations of 40 μL L-1 can be used for tomato production in hydroponics.

Cherry tomatoes, all over the world, have become a popular product because of the favorable characteristics (a good source of vitamins A and C, soluble solids, flavor, low calorie and fruit formation at high temperature). Cultivar selection is one of the most important managerial decisions and, despite thousands of available varieties, it can be daunting task. Cultivars are different in attributes such as color, shape, size, taste, taste, growth, consumption, planting time, and resistance to pests and disease.

This study was carried out from the autumn of 2014 to spring of 2015, at the research greenhouses of the University of Shahid Chamran, Ahvaz, Iran. The study was performed in randomized complete block design with three replications. During the cultivation period and at the end of the experiment, the number of clusters in the plant, the number of fruits in the cluster, the number of fruits in the plant, the total function in the bush , the number of marketable and unmarketable fruits in plant, the harvest index, vitamin C and soluble solids were evaluated. In addition, nitrate content, nitrite, fruit lycopene and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a to b ratio, total chlorophyll, carotenoid and chlorophyll to carotenoid ratio) and the SPAD index were measured.

According to the comparison of the means, there were the highest number of clusters in Baby Tom (16/44) and then in Belize (15/88), which were not statistically significant and the lowest number of clusters were observed in cultivar Sogno (12.77). The highest and lowest number of fruits in the cluster were found in the cultivars of Sogno and Belize (29.82 and 17.73), respectively. The highest number of fruits in the plant (295) were observed in Sogno and the Belize cultivar had the lowest number of fruits (193.56). The highest average of single fruit weight related to the Cherry Belle (11.13 g) and the lowest in Sogno (8 g) were observed. The lowest and the maximum percentage of the unmarketable fruits were obtained in Baby Tom (09/09 %) and Sogno (32 %), respectively. The maximum yield was observed in the Cherry Belle (2929 g) and then in Sogno (2482.4 g) and Baby Tom (2077.6 g) and the minimum yield (1637.7 g) in the Belize cultivar. The highest and lowest marketable yield were obtained in Belle (2928.6 g per plant) and Belize (1636.6 g per plant) cultivars, respectively. The maximum amount of soluble solids was observed in Baby Tom (4.86 °Brix), which had no statistically significant differences with the Belle and Sogno and the lowest soluble solids was found in Belize (3.15 °Brix). There were the highest and lowest vitamin C content in Cherry Belle (28.24 mg per 100 g FW) and Belize, respectively (23.1 mg in 100 g FW). According to the results, the maximum and lowest content of lycopene were observed in the Cherry Belle and Baby Tom, with an average of 32.411 and 19.402 mg/kg, respectively. The maximum content of nitrate in fruits was observed with 0.67 mg/gr DW in the fourth cluster and the lowest content of nitrate with 0.198 mg/gr DW in the tenth cluster. The highest indices of leaf SPAD were found in Belize (28.9) and lowest in Cherry Belle (16.32).

The selection of high - yield or high - quality cultivars in a greenhouse culture is critical to the economic efficiency of this product. The difference in yield is mainly related to the genetic variation among varieties. Study of yield and yield components of four samples of tomato in the environment and similar culture showed that the Belle Cherry was the best result for yield, harvest index, and vitamin C, so this cultivar is recommended to grow in Ahvaz greenhouses.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a perennial plant, which is rich in antioxidant compounds, lycopene, polyphenols and vitamin C. Iran, with production of 5.24 million tons, is ranked sixth in the world in tomato production. According to the latest FAO reports in 2019, the total area under tomato cultivation was 121203 hectares, with an average yield of 43.30 tons per hectare, and annual production of 5248904 tons. Vitamins are made from natural ingredients and are suitable for the growth, function and improvement of plant nutrition. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of pyridoxine (50, 100 and 150 mgL-1), thiamine (50, 100 and 150 mgL-1) and folic acid (50, 100 and 150 mgL-1) and the combination of these vitamins on the plant growth, yield and chemical properties of tomatoes.

This study was conducted as randomized complete block design with three replications in the greenhouse of Iranshahr University during the years 2019 to 2020. The tomato cultivar was Delphus, the seedling of which was purchased from Pakan Bazr Isfahan Company. In August, with the beginning of the tomato planting period in the greenhouse, seedlings were planted and the harvest lasted until December. Seedlings were planted in rows of 75 cm wide and 40 cm apart. Irrigation was performed in the greenhouse with a drip system. The first irrigation was carried out immediately after planting and the second and third irrigations were carried out one day later for one hour and the subsequent irrigations were carried out in proportion to the growth of seedlings, every other day, every four days. At the 7-8 leaf stage, the plants were guided vertically on the thread. The greenhouse temperature was 25 to 32 °C during the experiment and 18 to 24 °C at night and the relative humidity was about 50%.

 The results showed that all used concentrations of pyridoxine, thiamine and folic acid increased the growth parameters compared to the control, so that the highest plant height (271 cm), stem diameter (7 cm), number of leaves (31) fresh weight (502 g) and dry weight (341.66 g) were produced at a concentration of 100 mgL-1 pyridoxine + 100 mgL-1 thiamine + 100 mgL-1 folic acid. Interaction of B vitamin levels at low, medium and high levels had a significant effect on the reproductive parameters of tomato plants, so that the highest number of flowers (41.33), number of fruits (29.55), number of clusters (9.77), fruit diameter (22.44 mm), fruit fresh weight (158 g) and fruit dry weight (10.81 g) and yield (5688.9667 g/plant) at a concentration of 100 mgL-1 pyridoxine, 100 mgL-1 thiamine and 100 mgL-1 was observed per liter of folic acid. Increasing of yield can be due to increased nutrient uptake and assimilation, and increased growth due to the presence of vitamins. Similar results by El-Gharmany et al. (2005) stated that foliar application of vitamins (B1, B6 and B12) in appropriate concentrations in cowpea significantly increased the number of pods per plant and total yield compared to the control. Shabaly and El-Ramady (2014) and Shabana et al. (2015) found that some natural ingredients have increased yield of garlic and tomatoes. Also, all concentrations of pyridoxine, thiamine and folic acid used increased biochemical parameters compared to the control. Maximum pH (4.78), acidity (0.28%), soluble solids (3.93%), lycopene (2.64 mg/100 g fresh weight), total phenol content (66.66 mg/100 g fresh weight, vitamin C (13.36 mg/100 g fresh weight), chlorophyll a (1.98 mg/g fresh weight), chlorophyll b (0.98 mg /g fresh weight) and carotenoids (3.33 mg/g fresh weight) were obtained by using a combination of 100 mgL-1 pyridoxine, 100 mgL-1 thiamine and 100 mgL-1 folic acid. Foliar application of vitamin treatments may play an important role in physiological and metabolic processes that affect the process of photosynthetic metabolism and lead to an increase in soluble solids and minerals. The interaction of vitamins improves the action of biochemicals on amino acid metabolism and nucleic acid synthesis. However, Abdel-Halim (1995) reported that foliar application of some vitamins improved leaf growth, increased chlorophyll, chemicals, and internal hormones in tomatoes during the winter. El-Ghamriny (2005) reported that foliar application of B vitamins (B1, B6 and B12) increased leaf chlorophyll in cowpea compared to the control, and Burguieres et al. (2007) found that folic acid at a concentration of 50 mgL-1 increased minerals in peas. Hendawy and Ezz El-Dinn (2010) reported that vitamin B complex as a coenzyme in enzymatic reactions such as carbohydrates, fatty acids and proteins involved in photosynthesis and respiration. In addition, Abd El-Hakim (2006) reported that some antioxidants improve biochemical properties in some beans.

 The results showed that the use of pyridoxine, thiamine and folic acid vitamins alone or in combination with each other improved the growth, reproductive and biochemical characteristics of Delphi greenhouse tomatoes. The highest growth rate, yield and biochemical properties were obtained at 100 mgL-1 pyridoxine + 100 mgL-1 thiamine + 100 mgL-1 folic acid.

 Commercial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), one of the most widely grown vegetable crops worldwide, belongs to the Solanaceae family. The marketability of the commercial tomato mostly depends on the fruit quality. Tomato fruit quality is determined mainly by color, texture, shape and flavor. Fruit shape, one of the important traits affecting the quality of tomato fruit, is controlled by multiple minor genes and quantitatively inherited. Two important genes, involved in fruit shape, are SUN and OVATE genes. The SUN gene, which is a member of the IQD (IQ-domain) gene family and the Calmodulin binding protein, controls fruit length. The more expression of both SUN and OVATE genes leads to increased fruit length. Moreover, the increased expression of OVATE gene reduces the size of flower and leaf components. Due to the important role of these genes in tomato fruit shape, identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as a new generation of robust, frequent and reliable bi-allelic markers, in the coding regions of these genes might be necessary for generating functional markers associated with fruit shape.

 Seeds of 96 tomato genotypes from 12 populations were grown in the research greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Urmia University. The genotypes had been collected from different regions of West Azerbaijan of Iran and Turkey (Iğdır). The young and green plant leaves were used for genomic DNA extraction. The quality and quantity of the extracted DNA was assessed using spectrophotometry and agarose gel electrophoresis. To identify SNPs in SUN and OVATE genes, specific primers were designed by using FastPCR and Gene Runner software for amplifying fragments from coding regions of these genes in 96 tomato genotypes. Then, the amplified fragments of both genes were digested by using restriction enzymes TruI and PstI. Due to the lack of polymorphism in the digested patterns obtained by the used enzymes, four individuals from populations with close geographical distance were selected and amplified. The amplified bands were then purified by a purification kit (Kiagen, USA) and sequenced (Bioneer, South Korea). Sequencing was performed from both ends of the PCR fragments using both the forward and reverse primers used in the PCR reactions. The exon and intron regions of the sequenced fragments were identified by Softberry software. Following the retrieval of the sequenced fragments of each gene using FastPCR and Softberry software, multiple sequence alignment using Clustal Omega was used to identify SNPs in the exon and intron of the genes.

 Digestion of the amplified fragments of the genes using TruI and PstI restriction enzymes produced no polymorphism in the studied genotypes. Thus, four individuals were selected from geographically different populations and gene fragments were amplified, purified and sequenced in these genotypes. Sequencing of the amplified fragment of SUN gene revealed an intron region with a size of 369 bp. Out of the 10 SNPs detected in the SUN gene, four was found in the exon region, while the number of SNPs in intron was six. Of the total SNPs found in the SUN gene, the percentage of transition and transversion substitutions was 80 (50% T/C and 30% A/G) and 20 (T/G), respectively. In the OVATE gene, five SNPs were identified. The percentage of transition (40% G/A and 40% C/T) and transversion (20% G/T) substitutions in this genes were the same as SUN. The ratio of transition to transversion substitutions was 1:4 for both genes. The average number of SNPs in a 100 bp fragment in exonic and itronic region of SUN was 0.9 and 1.62, respectively, while it was 0.5 for exonic region of OVATE gene.

 The results of the current study revealed low polymorphisms and point mutations in the exon regions of SUN and OVATE genes, suggesting that the coding regions of these genes were conserved during the tomato evolution. Also, the number of SNPs in intron was more than those of exon. Considering the important role of fruit quality, especially fruit shape, in tomato market, the SNPs found in the current study may be used in genetic diversity studies, genetic map preparation, and saturation and identification of the functional markers associated with tomato fruit shape. These markers could accelerate tomato breeding programs aimed fruit shape improvement.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a common vegetable that is widely cultivated and consumed worldwide in the Solanaceae family (global tomato production is estimated at approximately 182 million tons in 2017). Tomato, because of its elevated nutritional value, is the second most common vegetable commodity in the world after potatoes. As with other crops, the global production of tomatoes is threatened by certain biological stresses (such as pests, plant diseases and weeds) and non-biological stresses (such as salinity, drought, floods, cold and heat stress). Nowadays, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers in tomato production in order to increase yields, has resulted in environmental pollution and dangers on the health of consumers. The reaction of cultivated plants to these challenges is indicated by numerous morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular changes, leading to a direct and indirect decrease in plant growth and productivity. Salinity as a non-biological stress can cause osmotic or ionic imbalance in plant cells. Salinity stress also limits growth and germination by affecting water and reducing water availability and affects crop production. Endophytes represent an eco-friendly option for the promotion of plant growth and for serving as sustainable resources of novel bioactive natural products. One of the alternative ways to restore normal plant growth under salinity stress may be to use plant growth to stimulate endophytes. Endophytes can play an important role in plant survival under salinity stress by reducing the adverse effects of sodium ion. Therefore, this work provides strong evidence that endophyte halophyte can be beneficial for tomato that help tolerate the plants stress. The main aim of this study was to investigate the role of endophytic bacteria (Exigubacterium aurantiacum), isolated from Salsola imbricate, in improving the growth of Solanum lycopersicum L. (8320) under salinity stress. The salinity tolerance potential of bacterial endophytes was investigated in vitro. The bacterial was cultured in Nutrient Agar with different concentrations of NaCl (1, 2 and 3 M) and its growth dynamics were investigated after 24 and 120 hours. To prepare the bacterial suspension for inoculation with tomato seeds, the bacteria were cultured on NB (Nutrient Broth) medium for 24 hours in an incubator at 28±1 °C at 130 rpm. The OD suspension was adjusted to a concentration of 1×108 ml. Tomato seeds (cultivar 8320) were washed with ethanol (70%) for 30 seconds and then sterilized with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for 90 minutes and then completely distilled three times with distilled water. They were autoclaved and washed. For better contact of seeds with bacteria, 1% carboxymethylcellulose was used and then the seeds inoculated with bacterial treatments were placed on a shaker for six hours. Seeds inoculated with bacterial endophytes were planted in seedlings and then placed in pots containing autoclaved soil in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Hormoz University. The experiment was arranged in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments included five levels of salinity stress (0, 4, 6, 8 and 10 dS/m-1) and bacterial endophyte inoculation (E. aurantiacum). Analysis of variance of traits was performed using SAS software version 9.4 and the means were compared using LSD method with a probability level of p < /em> Analysis of variance showed that among treatments there is significant difference on growth parameters of tomato seedling (p < /em>  0.01), this indicate the positive impact of the bacterial endophyte on the growth parameters of tomato seedling is inoculated with the bacterial than the control plants. In this experiment, stem height, dry weight of stem, leaf and root, percentage of electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid, proline and carbohydrate content were examined. The results of mean comparison showed that salinity stress significantly reduced stem height, stem dry weight, leaves and roots, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids and increased electrolyte leakage; however, bacterial endophyte reduced the negative effects of salinity stress on tomatoes. Tomato seedling treated with endophytic bacteria showed higher levels of key osmolytes, total soluble carbohydrates and free proline compared to untreated plants under salinity stress. The results also showed that the use of endophytic bacteria increased the growth of tomatoes in saline soil and water, thereby it can be used as an effective tool for growing salinity-sensitive plants such as tomatoes in saline conditions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the tomato plant induced resistance to Rhizoctonia solani using bio-control bacteria of Bacillus subtilis. Three bacterial isolates including B1 (un-irradiated B. subtilis), B600 and B419 (gamma-irradiated B. subtilis mutants) were used in this study. Results showed the highest activity of polyphenol oxidase enzyme in plant infected with pathogen. This increase in polyphenol oxidase activity was due to the response of the plant to the pathogen, which led to an increase in the activity of the enzyme, indicating an increase in oxidation in the plant. All treatments except B1 + Pathogen showed lower levels of peroxidase enzyme activity than the pathogen infected plant. All the plants treated with bio-control bacterial showed a significant increase in chlorophyll a compared to control. In plants treated with bio-control agents, the highest level of chlorophyll b in B600 + Pathogen and B1 + Pathogen were measured. The highest Disease Incidence percentage (DI%) was observed in plant pathogen (negative control) and the lowest DI was observed in plants treated with B419 + Pathogen. In plants treated with bio-control agent, the highest amount of chlorophyll b was calculated in B1 + Pathogen and B600 + Pathogen treatments. The highest percentage of Disease Incidence percentage (DI%) was observed in the pathogen-infected plant and the lowest in the B419 + Pathogen treatment. The treatment with bio-control agent increased tomato yield and even the highest yield was recorded in the B419 + Pathogen treatment.

Iron is an essential element for plant growth which is involved in many plant processes such as photosynthesis and activating enzymes involved in mitochondrial and photosynthetic electron transfer. Iron (Fe) deficiency is a common disorder affecting plants in many areas of the world, and is chiefly associated with high pH, calcareous soils. Plant Fe deficiency has economic significance, because crop quality and yields can be severely compromised. Deficiency or low activity of iron in the plant causes chlorophyll is not produced in sufficient quantities and the leaves are pale. The decrease of chlorophyll leading to the reduction of the plant food processor and finally the yield is reduced. Iron fertilizers are grouped into three main classes: inorganic Fe compounds (soluble ones such as FeSO4·7HO), synthetic Fe chelates [such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethylenediamine-di (o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) (EDDHA)] and natural Fe-complexes (humates and amino acids). Iron could be applied in different chemical forms, including chelates and inorganic Fe salts. To our knowledge, no published data for tomato growing under hydroponic conditions have assessed the effects of application methods and different sources of Fe Fertilizer on plant yields, growth and nutritional condition. Therefore, this work was carried out to study the effect of FeSO4, Fe-EDTA, Fe-EDDHA and Fe-DTPA as a foliar spray and root-applied on the growth, yield, physiological characteristics of tomato plants under hydroponic system.

Regarding to the role of application methods and Fe sources on the absorption of this element and the process of photosynthesis and plant growth, a factorial experiment was carried out to determine the best methods of application (add to nutrient solution and foliar spray) and iron fertilizer (FeSO4, Fe-EDTA, Fe-DTPA and Fe-EDDHA) for growth and physiological characteristics of tomato in hydroponic system with three replications. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using the SAS program. If ANOVA determined that the effects of the treatments were significant (P ≤0.01 for F-test), then the treatment means were separated by Tukey range test.

The results indicated that the plant height, dry and fresh weight affected by the application methods and iron fertilizer, so that the maximum and minimum plant height, and dry and fresh weight were obtained in application of Fe-EDTA to nutrient solution and foliar application of FeSO4, respectively. Mohammadipour et al., (2013) reported that by applying nano-chelate fertilizer of iron, iron sulfate, Fe-EDTA and Fe-EDDHA by two methods of foliar application and root-applied (soil) of Spathiphyllum plant, a significant difference between the types of fertilizer and application method were used. So that the maximum height and dry weight of the plant were obtained in Fe-EDDHA fertilizer treatment to the root application. The root and leaf Fe concentration affected by source of iron and the method of application so Fe-EDTA added to nutrient solution and foliar application had the highest amount of Fe in the root and leaf, respectively. Cu, Mn, Zn and some macro elements such as; Mg and P also influenced by the type of fertilizer and method of application. Roosta and hamidpour (2013) showed that the foliar application of Fe-EDDHA under aquaponic and hydroponic conditions increased the amount of K, Mg, Fe and decreased the concentration of Zn, Cu and Mn compared to the control treatment in tomato plants. Current experiment results showed that the maximum chlorophyll content (a, b and total) and maximal quantum yield of PS II photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and performance index (Pi) values of young and old leaves were found with Fe-EDTA in nutrition solution and the highest carotenoids and sugar soluble content were found in FeSO4 in nutrient solution and foliar application, respectively. Roosta and Mohsenian (2012) reported that there was also a linear relationship between leaf-Fe and chlorophyll content in pepper. The application of inorganic Fe salt (FeSO4) and Fe-chelates (Fe-EDDHA and Fe-EDTA) on pepper plants increased Chl a content in leaves of these plants compared to the control. Additionally, several investigations have described the beneficial effects of foliar Fe. Iron deficiency caused a significant reduction in the amount of chlorophyll a, b, total and carotenoids of pea (Iturbe-Ormaetxe et l., 1995).

Based on the results, Fe-EDTA and Fe-EDDHA had the highest significant effect on vegetative growth of tomato, respectively. Thus, at neutral pH of nutrient solution as occurred in this experiment, application of Fe-EDTA in nutrition solution is suitable than the other source of iron fertilizer for tomato growth.

Optimal management of irrigation water and optimal use of food under salinity and drought is very important. The objective of this research was assessment root water uptake function of tomato under simultaneous water, salinity and   different levels of nitrogen stresses. The experiments were carried out on tomato plant in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments consist four levels of water irrigation (50, 75, 100 and 100 percent of water requirement), Six levels of salinity (1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 dS/m) and three levels of nitrogen including zero, 50 and 100 percent of the fertilizer needs. Water, salinity and nitrogen stresses treatments were applied from the flowering plant. .The results showed under simultaneous salinity and nitrogen stresses, modified MB model and under simultaneous water and salinity stresses, MB-H, MB-F,MB-D and MB-VG models had better accuracy and MB-F Model in comparison with other models had the best fit against the measured data. In simultaneous water, salinity and nitrogen stresses multiplicative MB-MB-F model is the best fit than other suggested

Optimal management of irrigation water and optimal use of food under salinity and drought is very important. The objective of this research was assessment root water uptake function of tomato under simultaneous water, salinity and   different levels of nitrogen stresses. The experiments were carried out on tomato plant in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments consist four levels of water irrigation (50, 75, 100 and 100 percent of water requirement), Six levels of salinity (1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 dS/m) and three levels of nitrogen including zero, 50 and 100 percent of the fertilizer needs. Water, salinity and nitrogen stresses treatments were applied from the flowering plant. .The results showed under simultaneous salinity and nitrogen stresses, modified MB model and under simultaneous water and salinity stresses, MB-H, MB-F,MB-D and MB-VG models had better accuracy and MB-F Model in comparison with other models had the best fit against the measured data. In simultaneous water, salinity and nitrogen stresses multiplicative MB-MB-F model is the best fit than other suggested