Contrasted Effects of Prolonged Root Hypoxia on Tomato Root and Fruit (Solanum lycopersicum) Metabolism

The decrease in growth rate of the root system, or the complete cessation of its growth, in fruiting tomato plants is a known phenomena. It has been suggested that a limited supply of carbohydrates to this organ, because of its relative weakness in competition with the developing fruitlets is the main cause for these disorders. This hypothesis was tested in this study with tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv Micro-Tom) submitted to gradual root hypoxia (1-2 % oxygen) at first flower anthesis and with limited fruit number (six fruits per plant). To this end, a range of physiological and biochemical parameters was evaluated. Our results showed that under oxygen deficiency, root growth was severely affected. In contrast to fruits, root protein and carbohydrate contents decreased significantly, concomitantly with a significant decrease in photosynthesis. Together the present data revealed that, at the fruiting stage, the effect of flooding on root growth and metabolism is probably controlled by the relative sink strength of the fruit.