Salt tolerance of tomato plants as affected by stage of plant development

In order to simulate the usage of brackish irrigation water in greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. cv. Daniela) culture in perlite, plants were supplied with nutrient solutions containing 0, 20, 40, and 60 mM NaCl. The three highest salinity treatments were applied at three different plant growth stages, during early vegetative growth [16 days after transplanting, (DAT)], beginning of flowering (36 DAT), and starting fruit development (66 DAT). Salt tolerance of tomato plants increased when the application of salinity was delayed. Salinity significantly decreased size and number of marketable fruits, but increased fruit quality by increasing total soluble solids and sugar content. Leaf and fruit calcium and potassium concentrations were decreased significantly by increasing salinity levels. This was compensated for the accumulation of sodium. Anion accumulation was increased by increasing chloride concentration. These results indicate that it is feasible to use brackish water for growing tomato with minimum yield losses if salt concentration and duration of exposure are carefully monitored.