Growth, Ion Uptake, and Yield Responses of Three Indigenous Small-Sized Greek Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Cultivars and Four Hybrids of Cherry Tomato under NaCl Salinity Stress

The effect of three sodium chloride treatments (0, 75, and 150mM) on the growth, yield, and ion uptake of three small-sized Greek tomato cultivars (Santorini Authentic, Santorini Kaisia, and Chios) and four cherry tomato hybrids (Cherelino, Scintilla, Delicassi, and Zucchero) was studied by using a completely randomized block design with seven replicates. The results indicated that Santorini Authentic under 75mM sodium chloride (NaCl) had reduced its total biomass production (total plant + fruits fresh weight) by only 22% while the relevant percentage decreases of some hybrids were found to be duplicated. Regarding yield characteristics, Zucchero under 75mM NaCl, followed by Santorini Kaisia and Chios, showed the lowest reduction of the marketable total fruit fresh weight compared to Cherelino and Delicassi. The greater tolerance of Santorini Authentic might be due to the greater sodium and chlorine retention by the roots in combination with the nonsignificant decrease of the leaf potassium.