Effect of NaCl and mycorrhizae (Rhizophagus irregularis) on the growth of “tomato” Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae)

Abstract

“Tomato”  Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae) is a vegetable with a high demand for human consumption.  However,  it  is  susceptible  to  salinity,  which  causes  reduction  in  growth  and  development in this crop. One of the agronomical practices that alleviates salt stress is inoculation with  mycorrhizal  fungi.  The  objective  of  this  research  was  to  determine  the  effect  of  NaCl  and  Rhizophagus  irregularis  on  the  growth  of  tomato  under  greenhouse  conditions.  For  that  purpose,  tomato plantlets were treated with three inoculum concentrations (0; 1.5; 3g) and then submitted to three NaCl concentrations (0, 100 y 200mM) for 30 days. Then the growth variables were evaluated. Results show that treatments induced significant differences in tomato growth. Increasing levels of salinity induced reduction of all variables measured with the exception of root length. Meanwhile, inoculum concentrations induced growth on stem length, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of internodes, stem fresh weight and root fresh weight. Inoculation with mycorrhiza induced a reduction in the growth arrest caused by salinity.