Improvement of the nutraceutical quality and yield of tomato by application of salicylic acid

Abstract

Tomato fruits are a unique functional food and a natural reservoir of nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and bioactive compounds that improve nutrition and human health. As an important vegetable throughout the world, tomatoes have attracted the attention of researchers to carry out various strategies to improve the functionality of this food aimed at the prevention of diseases, health and global well-being. An agronomic strategy in this study was to evaluate the influence of the application of "salicylic acid (SA)" on the yield and nutraceutical quality of the tomato crop, produced under hydroponic conditions. A completely randomized experimental design with six repetitions was used. SA at five doses (0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1 and 0.125 mM) and one control were applied every 15 days in the nutritive solution under a hydroponic system on tomato plants. The evaluated variables were yield (total fruit weight per plant), fruit parameters (weight, diameter, firmness, and total soluble solids), percentage of weight loss and nutraceutical quality of tomato. The results obtained indicate that the addition of salicylic acid in nutritive solution increased the yield and biosynthesis of phytochemical compounds in tomato fruits, in relation to the control without application. In conclusion, to obtain a higher nutraceutical quality without affecting the tomato fruit yield, it is recommended to use the average concentration (0.125 mM) of SA.

Foliar Aspersion of Salicylic Acid Improves Nutraceutical Quality and Fruit Yield in Tomato

“…Among the most relevant antioxidants produced by tomato, lycopene is considered a bioactive compound due to its importance related to the antioxidant capacity in vegetables, which is known to increase when secondary metabolism is activated, a condition caused by SA applications [5,48]. The observed increases of vitamin C in tomato fruits treated with foliar applications of SA were similar to those reported previously by Hafeznia et al [49], which is explained by a higher production of carbohydrates promoted by SA, being effective precursors for the synthesis of ascorbic acid [50]. Plants synthesize ascorbic acid mainly through the Smirnoff-Wheeler pathway, dominating in photosynthetic tissues; carbohydrates are its main intermediaries [51].…”

Effects of preharvest applications of chemicals and storage conditions on the physico-chemical characteristics and shelf life of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit

“…The retention of firmness with preharvest sprays might be attributed to the inhibitory effects of calcium, salicylic acid and chitosan on the actions of the enzymes responsible for cell wall degradation such as cellulose, pectin-methyl esterase and polygalacturonase ( Asghari and Aghdam, 2010 ; Doesburg, 1975 ). In agreement with the present findings, Sarinana-aldaco et al. (2020) reported that 0.125 mM dose of salicylic acid application produced tomatoes with 75.3% higher in firmness than the control.…”

“…The decrement of transpiration can also be associated with the reduction in hydrolytic cell wall enzymes activity which can be greatly influenced by salicylic acid ( Zoran et al., 2001 ). The findings are in agreement with Sarinana-aldaco et al. (2020) , who reported that 0.125 mM salicylic acid preharvest sprays decreased the weight loss by 60.38%.…”

“…Salicylic acid (SA), an endogenous plant growth regulator of phenolic nature, participates in different physiological activities such as in plant growth regulation, development and enhancement of plant vigor under abiotic and biotic stresses ( Hayat et al., 2010 ). Preharvest application of salicylic acid is reported to maintain the postharvest quality of tomato ( Sarinana-aldaco et al., 2020 ). SA reduces fruit decay, softening rate and loss in physiological weight during storage ( Babalar et al., 2007 ) through its influence on respiration and ethylene biosynthesis ( Kumar et al., 2018a , Kumar et al., 2018b ; Srivastava and Dwivedi, 2000 ).…”

Effect of salicylic acid on phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activity of Lamiaceae plants grown in a temperate climate

“…Therefore SA is involved in the operational protection of plants from stress [14,16]. In addition, it is known that SA affects the accumulation of secondary metabolites, including compounds of the phenolic structure in various plant species [17][18][19]. Thus, the use of exogenous salicylic acid can not only increase the resistance of plants to the action of abiotic factors but also improve the nutritional value of crops.…”