Effect of newly developed interspecific hybrid rootstocks on mineral nutrient composition and fruit quality in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the important vegetables in the world due to large production area and consumer interest. Biotic and abiotic stresses have negative effect on tomato production. Utilisation of rootstocks conferring resistance to biotic stresses can be considered as the most effective and environment friendly solution in tomato production to overcome this problem. Although wild tomato species is a good rootstock candidate due to its resistance to multiple plant diseases, effects of wild tomato species as rootstock on mineral nutrient composition and fruit quality are not clear. In the present study, effects of interspecific hybrids derived from two wild tomato species (Solanum habrochaites and Solanum penellii) as rootstock on tomato fruit mineral nutrient composition (phosphor (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu)) and fruit quality traits (soluble solids content (SSC), pH, percent titratable acidity (TA), and lycopene content) were evaluated. In the study, Amaron, Armstrong, and Arazi commercial rootstocks were used as control and AK0004 F1 (candidate tomato hybrid) was used as a source of scion. As result, only lycopene content was affected by different rootstocks. S. penellii was found to be with more potential for lycopene content. For mineral nutrient composition, all hybrids and controls had similar contents of potassium, phosphor, calcium, and magnesium. Manganese and copper contents decreased in all plants. S. habrochaites had more potential regarding nitrogen, iron, and zinc contens than S. penellii. This is the first study to evaluate two interspecific hybrids derived from S. habrochaites and S. penellii, and the results might be useful to understand effects of rootstocks derived from wild tomato species on mineral nutrient content and fruit quality.