Flooding tolerance of tomato genotypes during vegetative and reproductive stages

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of flooding on two tomato cultivars and two wild related species. Forty days old tomato plants were subjected to a continuous flooding stress of different durations: 0, 2, 4 and 8 days. Plant pots were placed inside larger plastic pots; they were irrigated with excessive quantity of tap water at 25 0 C so that the level of water above the surface of soil was 15 cm throughout the flooding period. At the bottom of each plastic pot a drilled hole allowed complete drainage of the pot after flooding. Parameters studied include plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content, wilting, leaf senescence, adventitious root formation, number of flowers and fruits from cluster 2 to 6, average weight per fruit, fruit length and width, total fruit weight from cluster 2 to 6, total yield per plant. LA1579 genotype was more subjected to the deleterious effect of flooding on almost all the parameters studied. Therefore LA1579 genotype is flooding sensitive. Genotypes CLN2498E, and CA4 showed high tolerance to flooding while LA1421 genotype was tolerant to some extent. This experiment provides information that could help in the identification of physiological and agronomical parameters associated with flood-tolerance in vegetables.

Effect of waterlogging stress on the growth, development and symptomatology of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) plants

“…Thus, the flooded plants between 4 and 8 days showed a delay in growth and development as compared with a shorter stress time (Tables 1 and 2), so the onset of flowering was delayed, considering that the cape gooseberry produces one flower at each node of the reproductive shoots (Fischer, 2000). Also, Ezin et al (2010) found a reduction in the number of flowers and fruits and in the fruit size and weight in the tomato, attributing these results to the inhibition of photosynthesis and the adverse effects of flooding conditions.…”

“…In studies with flooded tomatoes that applied chlorophyll fluorescence, Ezin et al (2010) and Kläring and Zude (2009) observed that the reduction in photosynthetic rates is related to limitations in the PSII reaction center.…”

Steady shallow water table did not decrease leaf expansion rate, specific leaf weight, and specific leaf water content in tomato plants

“…Tomato plants had ability to develop adventitious roots which attributed to its tolerance to excess water conditions (Walter et al, 2004). Adventitious root formation compensated for loss of the original roots due to hypoxic condition below water table (Ezin et al, 2010).…”

GAS EXCHANGE IN YOUNG PLANTS OF Tabebuia aurea(Bignoniaceae Juss.) SUBJECTED TO FLOODING STRESS1

“…Intolerant species undergo leaf chlorosis, as reported by Reyna et al (2003) for soy (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and Ezin et al (2010) for the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ).…”

“…Several researchers have studied the effects of flooding during certain periods by considering the morphological, anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes in plants, such as changes in gas exchange (MOMMER et al, 2004;EZIN et al, 2010;SCREMIN-DIAS et al, 2011;KATO;OKAMI, 2011;PARLANTI et al, 2011;among others). Stressed plants adapt to disturbances caused by hypoxia or anoxia in the root have different adaptations; the most common of these adaptation strategies being increased stomatal conductance, reducing photosynthesis, changes in transpiration rates, the inhibition of growth, the wilting and/or abscission of leaves, and reduced leaf water potential (KOZLOWS KI, 1997;WITTMANN, 2010;PAREEK et al, 2010).…”