A comparison of the productivity, quality, shelf-life characteristics and consumer reaction to the crop from cherry tomato plants grown at different levels of salinity

AbstractCherry tomatoes, cv. Gardeners Delight, were grown by the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) in solutions having electrical conductivity of 3,5 or 8dS m-1. No significant differences in weight yield were observed until the salinity reached the 8 dS level. Whereas the dry-matter content of the fruit as a percentage of fresh weight increased at the higher conductivity levels, mean fresh and dry weights and the diameter of individual fruits decreased. The sodium content and titratable acidity in the fruit sap were significantly raised when plants were grown at the higher conductivities, but the reducing sugar and potassium contents were less affected. A taste trial involving 167 participants revealed a general preference for the 5 dS fruit. Cherry tomatoes were shown to be highly sensitive to mechanical stress, exemplified by a sharp increase in ethylene production and a reduction in the storage life of the fruit. There was some evidence of greater resistance to damage by fruit grown at 8 dS compared with those grown at lower conductivity levels. Nutrient solutions can thus be held at 5 dS with little loss in total fruit yield but with beneficial effects on fruit size and flavour. The storage characteristics of fruit from plants grown at salinity levels above normal were not impaired.