Characterization of tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum) on plants colonized by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Rhizopagus irregularis under salt stress conditions

Abstract

 

Tomato production in areas with salinity problems causes a decrease in plant yield; however, some changes in salinity
conditions can be positive in terms of fruit organoleptic attributes. In the present work, it was determined the role of
symbiosis between Solanum lycopersicum cv MicroTom with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Rhizophagus
irregularis and phytochemical attributes in fruits at two stages of fruit maturity (orange and red) growing under salt
stress conditions (100 mM NaCl and 200 mM NaCl). The percentage of AMF root colonization decreased from 36% to
10% in the condition of 0 mM NaCl and 200 mM NaCl, respectively, while the content of carbohydrates, phenols, and
flavonoids in fruits, as well as the content of lycopene with 14 mg/100 g fw, increased with higher salt stress. In the
presence of AMF, proline concentration in fruits decreased, whereas it increased with higher NaCl stress.