Effect of salicylic acid on pre-transplant acclimatization of native tomato populations

• Published in: Horticultura brasileira 2018-12, Vol.36 (4), p.480-485
• Main Authors: Poot-Poot, Wilberth A, Delgado-Martínez, Rafael, Castro-Nava, Sergio, Segura-Martínez, Ma Teresa, Carreón-Pérez, Alejandro, Hernández-Martínez, Jesús Guillermo
• Format: Magazinearticle
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0102-0536; 1806-9991
• DOI: 10.1590/s0102-053620180409

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) application on pre-transplant acclimatization of native populations of tomato. SA is a growth regulator that modifies plant growth and development by inducing changes in cell processes, physiology and morphology. Five populations of native tomato were sown in polystyrene trays. Peat moss was used as substrate and plants were maintained at field capacity continuously. After emergence, seedlings were applied during three weeks with different concentration of SA (0.0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 μM). A completely random experimental design was used with five replications per treatment. The growth parameters evaluated were height, stem diameter, number of leaves, hypocotyl length, shoot fresh and dry weight (leaves and stem), and root length and fresh and dry weight. An analysis of variance was carried out, and means were compared with the Tukey test (5%) using SAS statistical software. The recorded data show that pre-transplant seedlings of each of the evaluated populations responded significantly (P=0.01) to the SA treatments. Also, the comparison of means of each of the factors under study showed positive changes. With the concentrations of 0.5 and 0.1 μM SA, higher values of the studied variables were obtained than with the concentrations 0.01 and 1.0 μM SA. The native tomato populations sprayed with SA at concentrations of 0.5 and 0.1 μM responded positively in terms of seedling growth and development. Based on these findings, SA treatments can help acclimatize and present better growth conditions to the seedlings before being transplanted. RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação do ácido salicílico (SA) na aclimatização pré-transplante de populações nativas de tomateiro. SA é um regulador de crescimento que modifica o crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas, induzindo mudanças nos processos celulares, na fisiologia e morfologia das plantas. Cinco populações de tomate nativo foram semeadas em bandejas de poliestireno. Usou-se turfa como substrato. As plantas foram mantidas em capacidade de campo continuamente. Após a emergência, aplicou-se nas plântulas, durante três semanas, diferentes concentrações de SA (0,0; 0,01; 0,1; 0,5 e 1,0 μM). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições por tratamento. Os parâmetros de crescimento avaliados foram altura, diâmetro do caule, número de folhas, comprimento do hipocótilo, massa fr