Abscisic acid improves tomato fruit quality by increasing soluble sugar concentrations. (21st April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barickman, T. Casey; Kopsell, Dean A.; Sams, Carl E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of plant nutrition. Volume 40:Number 7(2017)
• Page Start: 964
• Page End: 973
• Publication Date: 2017-04-21
• Subjects: Calcium -- hydroponics -- greenhouse; Plants -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Plants -- Effect of minerals on -- Periodicals; Deficiency diseases in plants -- Periodicals; 575.76
• DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2016.1231812
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-4167

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Abscisic acid (ABA) is crucial in fruit maturation and senescence and is considered as the other ripening control factor other than ethylene. Important components in ripening fruit are soluble sugars, which make the fruit sweeter and carotenoids, important flavor compounds in ripened fruit. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of foliar ABA and calcium (Ca) fertilizer treatments (individually and in combination) on determinate beef-steak greenhouse tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) leaf chlorophylls and carotenoids, fruit carotenoids, and soluble sugar concentrations. Foliar spray treatment of 500 mg L −1 ABA increased zeaxanthin (ZEA) and β-carotene (BC) in tomato leaf tissue. Increases in Ca fertilizer treatments significantly decreased tomato leaf violaxanthin (VIO), but no effect on other carotenoids. The application of 500 mg L −1 ABA foliar spray significantly increased glucose and fructose concentrations in tomato fruit tissue. Foliar application of ABA treatments can increase overall chlorophyll, carotenoid content, and fruit quality.