Int. J. Agron. Agri. R.

International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

ISSN: 2223-7054 (Print) 2225-3610 (Online)
http://www.innspub.net
Vol. 19, No. 1, p. 9-17, 2021
RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Effect of zinc-based fertilizers on the growth and development

of Tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and fruit storability
Roger Braogue-Doumdi*1, Eugene Phounzong-Tafre1, Jean Aghofack-Nguemezi1,
Claurence Nkumbe Ndille2
1
Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
2
Department of Annual Crops, Institute of Agricultural Research for Development of Buea,
Buea, Cameroon

Article published on July 30, 2021

Key words: Zinc, Solanum lycopersicum, Growth, Development, Ripening, Storability

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiency is a common and widely spread problem that affects yield and quality of plant products.
Zinc deficiency especially in fresh commodities enhances fruit deterioration during postharvest storage. This
study was aimed at investigating effects of foliar applications of Zinc-based fertilizer on tomato (Solanum
lycopersicum) growth and development, as well as fruit behaviour during storage. Four different concentrations
of Zinc-based fertilizer were applied on tomato plants (0ml/l, 5ml/l, 10ml/l and 15ml/l). Zinc-based fertilizer
applications started fourteen days after transplanting and continued weekly till harvest. A completely randomized
block design with four treatments and six replications was used for the experiment. Parameters for plant growth
and development, fruit quality and storability were determined. Results showed that Zinc-based fertilizer
significantly influence most growth parameters at (p < 0.05). Zinc-based fertilizer has a significant effect on
development parameters. There was no significant difference among treatments for fruit diameter (p < 0.05).
Most storability parameters, except for PWL at 5th and 8th, Firmness and TSSC, showed a significant difference
among treatments at (p < 0.05). The dose of 15ml/l was the most efficacious on many parameters evaluated.
* Corresponding Author: Roger Braogue-Doumdi  [email protected]

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Introduction 2016). More efforts are being made to promote the

Solanum lycopersicum (Cultivated tomato) is a link between human health and nutrition (Cakmak et
tropical plant that originated from Mexico (Bai and al., 2016; Montalvo et al., 2016). Alleviating Zn
Lindhout, 2007). Tomatoes annual production in the deficiency in food has become a research area of
world was estimated at about 129 million tons (FAO, significant interest (Cakmak et al., 1999). In plant, Zn
2014). Tomato is the second most consumed is one of the eight essential micronutrients implicated
horticultural crop in the world after potato (Haile, in growth and development of cells (Mousavi et al.,
2018). However, tomato production is submitted to 2013); it is the only micronutrient that intervenes in
many threats during preharvest and postharvest the activities of all the six classes of enzymes
periods that reduce productivity and shorten (Sadeghzadeh, 2013); it is involved in the biosynthesis
storability time of fruits (Arah et al., 2015). Annual of more than 1200 proteins (Vallee and Falchuk,
economic values associated to postharvest losses and 1993) and carbohydrates, and in the photosynthetic
waste of food in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are higher activity (Alloway, 2008). It is reported that Zn
than total alimentary aid received by the region deficiency has negative influence on productivity and
during the last decade (Affognon et al., 2015). Thus, quality of products at harvest (Hussain et al., 2010;
postharvest losses represent a serious problem in White and Broadley, 2011). Enhanced Zn
SSA. Fresh commodities especially, quickly lose bioavailability affects yield, quality, Zn content of
quality and deteriorate during storage due to their product and induced the prolongation of the shelf life
high-water content (Arah et al., 2015). These losses (White and Broadley, 2011; Luo et al., 2018). In
ranged between 20 to 50% in SSA (Kasso and Bekele, tomato production, it was reported that Zn helped
2016). In fact, biotic and abiotic threats that arise in achieve optimal plant development and increased
preharvest period are tightly associated with the yield Karnwal (2020). However, there are currently
behaviour of fresh products during postharvest no data in the literature on the potential effect of
storage (Sams, 1999; Melkamu et al., 2008; Haile, preharvest application of fertilizers containing Zn on
2018). Therefore, mineral nutrition in preharvest postharvest storability and shelf life of fruit. The focus
influence quality components and storability of fresh of this study was to evaluate the linkage between
commodities (Sams, 1999). Micronutrients such as preharvest cultural practices and the behaviour of
calcium, bore, and zinc are known to improve quality tomato fruit in storage during postharvest period.
and shelf life of many fresh commodities (Aghofack-
Nguemezi et al., 2014; Djabou et al., 2018; Luo et al., Materials and methods

2018). But, soil deficiency in mineral content is Experiment site and plant material

widespread and continue to extend since the advent of The field experiment was conducted from November

green revolution (Alloway, 2009; Khoshgoftarmanesh 2019 to February 2020 in the city of Bafoussam in the

et al., 2010; Dimkpa and Bindraban, 2016). Most West Region of Cameroon. Tomato seeds (Solanum

efforts aimed at correcting soil mineral deficiencies lycopersicum L. var Rio de Grande) from the seed

mainly focus on macronutrients in detriment to producing firm Technisem were used for the

micronutrients which are essential for crop experiment. Tomato seeds were nursed on a soil

productivity and storage of many fresh commodities nursery bed of 2m x 1m. Thirty days after sowing,

(Khoshgoftarmanesh et al., 2010). seedlings were transplanted in plastic pots (15cm ×

30cm) each of which contained 5kg of soil. All the
Zinc is a micronutrient whose deficiency is pots had six holes at their bottom and sides for
widespread in tropical soil (Alloway, 2008; Nielsen, drainage of excess of water. The pots were disposed in
2012). Close to one billion people in the world, a complete randomize block design with four levels of
especially children and pregnant women, are exposed Zn-based fertilizer (0ml/l, 5ml/l, 10ml/l and 15ml/l)
to health problems related to Zn deficiency and six repetitions. Zinc-based fertilizer applications
(Khoshgoftarmanesh et al., 2010; Swamy et al., started fourteen days after transplanting and

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continued a weekly till harvest. Synthetic insecticides TA (%) = [(Titre value × Normality × m.eq.wt of
and fungicides were used for pest and disease control. acid)/volume] × 100
Plants were sufficiently irrigated everyday most often
minutes prior to sunset. Where milli-equivalent weight of citric acid = 0.06404

Growth parameters Pigment content was determined using the method of

Plant height, number of leaves and stem diameters were Nagata and Yamashita (1992). A 4g sample of red
measured at the 2nd, 4th and 6th week after transplanting. tomato fruit was crushed with sand and introduced
A decameter and a Vernier caliper were used to measure into a test tube containing 10ml of acetone/hexane
plant height and stem diameter respectively. The mixture (4/6, v/v). The tube was covered with
number of branches per plant was determined at the 6th aluminium paper impervious to light rays and
week after seedling transplanting. conserved inside the ice for 10 minutes to obtain two
separate phases. The optical densities (ODs) of the
Development parameters extracts (supernatant) were measured at wavelengths
The number of days between transplanting day and of 453nm, 505nm, 645nm, and 663nm, using a
the day of the appearance of the first flower (TETAF) spectrophotometer (brand: Biochrom Libra; model:
was determined by counting flowering plants daily. S22 UV/Vis; Germany). The ODs obtained were used
The number of flower buds (NFB/P), the number of in the formula elaborated by Nagata and Yamashita
flowers per plant (NFl/P), the number of fruits per (1992) to evaluate the content of β-carotene and
plant (NFr/P) and the number of grapes per plant lycopene in tomato fruits.
(NG/P) were progressively measured during plants
Lycopene (mg/ 100 g) =-0,0458A663 + 0,204A645 +
growth and development cycle. Fruit’s lateral and
0,372A505-0,0806A453
longitudinal diameters (LaD and LoD) and fruit
β-carotene (mg /100 g) = 0,216A663-1,22A645-
weight (FW) were measured at harvest time with a
0,304A505 + 0,452A453
Vernier caliper.

The weight of fruits was measured on the 0, 2nd, 5th,

Fruit quality and storability parameters
8th and 11th day after harvest with an electronic
To have a better understanding of the implication of
balance (generic brand; model: SF-400; France). The
preharvest application of Zn on fruit quality and
physiological weight loss (PWL) was expressed as a
storability, total soluble solid content (TSSC) was
percentage of the initial weight according to the
measured using the method of Navarre and Navarre
formula of Gharezi et al. (2012) below:
(1986) with an ATC brand refractometer (brand
name: Aichose; model: SR0017-ATC; China) ranging PWL (%) = [(IW-WT) / (IW)] x 100
from 0 to 32° Brix. Two drops of tomato fruit juice
free of bubbles and floating particles were deposited Where PWL represents the physiological fruit weight
on the prism of refractometer and the value was read loss, IW corresponds to the initial weight of the
in the using an incandescent lamp. tomato fruits and WT for the weight of the tomato
fruits at a definite time.
The titratable acidity (TA) of fruits was evaluated by
the potentiometric method of Gharezi et al. (2012). The firmness of fruits was evaluated with a
5ml of tomato juice were mixed with 20ml of distilled penetrometer (brand name: SAUTER GmbH; model:
water and homogenised with a magnetic stirrer. The GY-2; Germany) by to the method described by
solution was titrated with 0.1 M sodium hydroxyl Mehinagic et al. (2003). Tomato peels were collected
(NaOH) until pH reached 8.1 under continuous at three different spots on the equatorial region of the
stirring. TA was expressed as the percentage of citric fruit to determine fruit firmness. The firmness of the
acid as followed: pulp was expressed in kilogram-force.

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Statistical analysis sampling. These data show that preharvest spraying

The statistical analysis of data was done using R software of Zn fertilizer effectively improved the number of
version 3.6.2. The data obtained were submitted to an leaves and stem diameter during the 4th and 6th WAT
analysis of variances (ANOVA) to verify if differences in comparison to control. Plants that received Zn-
exist between the means. The multiple comparison based fertilizer exhibit highest number of leaves.
Turkey test was use at 5% threshold probability to There is a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in stem
separate means in cases of differences. diameter between plants treated with Zn fertilizer and
the control. Stem diameter of plant fertilized with Zn
Results are significantly improved at 4th and 6th WAT. Also,
Growth parameters of plant higher concentrations of Zn lead to higher increase in
The field data on growth parameters are presented in stem diameters. The number of branches per plant
Table 1. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed revealed a high influence of treatments (p = 0.003).
that height of spraying plants was influenced at (p = Control (T00) and plants that received 5ml/l of Zn
0.05) during the sampling period. Thus, increasing had the lowest number of branches, meanwhile plants
Zn concentration significantly improved plant height treated with 15ml/l (T06) had a higher number of
in the three levels of Zn-based fertilizer at all levels of branches per plant.

Table 1. Growth parameters of tomato plant received Zn-based Zn fertilizer.

Treatments
Parameters T00 T04 T05 T06 P-values
PH 2 18.06±1.74a 21.80±1.74b 21.16±1.13b 20.95±2.32ab 0.008 **
PH 4 31.08±2.33a 33.70±2.84ab 35.33±1.69b 37.25±2.38b 0.001 **
PH 6 55.53±1.65a 62.48±3.28b 57.31±3.24a 59.36±3.75ab 0.005 **
NL 2 4.66±0.81a 4.83±0.40a 4.83±0.75a 5.00±0.63a 0.863 ns
NL 4 10.83±1.16a 17.16±1.94b 17.00±2.09b 16.66±1.75b 0.000 ***
NL 6 28.00±2.09a 43.33±2.65b 39.83±2.31b 40.33±3.26b 0.000 ***
PD 2 4.21±0.43a 4.75±0.55a 4.85±0.60a 5.11±0.84a 0.121 ns
PD 4 7.10±0.63a 7.88±1.33ab 8.36±1.20ab 9.30±0.49b 0.007 **
PD 6 7.85±0.92a 9.98±1.18b 10.21±0.89b 11.73±0.60c 0.000***
NB/P 6 10.16±1.16a 10.50±1.04a 11.33±1.21ab 12.50±0.54b 0.003 **

Values followed by the same letters in the same row day of the appearance of the first flower (TETAF).
are not significantly different at 5% probability Plants that received Zn fertilizer exhibit a rapid
threshold according to the Turkey test. PH 2: plant appearance of first flowers. A greater difference is
height on the 2nd week after transplantation; NL 2: observed between treatment on the number of grapes
number of leaves per plant on the 2nd week after per plant (p = 0.003). A linear increase of the number
transplantation; PD 2: plant diameter on the 2nd week of grapes per plant is observed as the concentration of
after transplantation; NB/P 6: number of branches Zn-based fertilizer increases.
per plant on the 6th week after transplantation. T00:
control plants; T04: plants that received liquid Zn A distinct difference can be noted on the number of
fertilizer at 5ml/l; T04: plants that received the liquid flower buds per plant (NBF/P), Number of flowers
Zn fertilizer at 10ml/l; T06: plants that received per plant (NFl/P) and number of fruit per plant
liquid Zn fertilizer at 15ml/l. (NFr/P) as related to spraying of plant. Plant

Tomato plant development parameters treated with Zn fertilizer show greater values
The analysis of variance (ANOVA) of plant compare to control plants. No significant difference
development parameters is presented in table 2. Zn- is observed between treatments in terms of fruits
based fertilizer has a significant effect on the time lateral diameter (LaD), fruits longitudinal diameter
elapsed between seedling transplanting day and the (LoD) and fruit weight (FW).

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Table 2. Development parameters of tomato plants received Zn-based fertilizer.

Treatments
Parameters T00 T04 T05 T06 P-values
TETAF (days) 25.00±1.41b 20.66±1.03a 20.50±1.87a 20.16±1.72a 0.000 ***
NG/P 10.16±1.16a 10.50±1.04a 11.33±1.21ab 12.50±0.54b 0.003 **
NBF/P 56.00±4.89a 63.66±8.59ab 67.83±1.72b 66.83±2.31b 0.003 **
NFl/P 46.50±4.96a 52.00±7.61ab 56.33±4.08b 55.33±4.22b 0.021 *
NFr/P 35.00±3.34a 38.16±3.86ab 39.66±3.26ab 41.00±1.41b 0.020 *
LaD (cm) 42.43±4.42a 42.79±4.69a 42.02±4.29a 40.87±4.00a 0.694 ns
LoD (cm) 51.19±5.11a 54.09±7.33a 51.5±6.17a 50.10±7.62a 0.397 ns
FW (g) 56.53±12.88a 60.87±17.72a 56.88±18.55a 55.83±19.77a 0.854 ns

Values followed by the same letters in the same row the first days after harvest (2nd day after harvesting)
are not significantly different at 5% probability and in the days preceding senescence (11th day after
threshold according to the Turkey test. TETAF: the harvesting). A significant difference was observed in
time elapsed between the seedling transplanting date the intermediate storage days (5th and 11th day after
and the date of the appearance of the first flower; harvesting). Zn-based fertilizer decreased the PWL of
NG/P: number of grapes per plant; NFB/P: number fruit in comparison to control fruit (T00).
of flower buds per plant; NFl/P: number of flowers
per plant; NFr/P: number of fruits per plant; LoD: There is no significant difference (p < 0.05) among
longitudinal fruit diameter; LaD: lateral fruit treatments for total soluble solid content (TSSC) and
diameter; FW: fruit weight; T00: control plants; T04: firmness (FNESS) of fruit. Significant response to
plants that received liquid Zn fertilizer at 5ml/l; T04: preharvest Zn-based fertilizer application was
plants that received the liquid Zn fertilizer at 10ml/l; observed on titratable acidity (p = 0.017). Titratable
T06: plants that received liquid Zn fertilizer at 15ml/l. acidity of fruit increases with Zn concentration. Zn-
based fertilizer application has a significant effect on
Tomato fruit quality and storability parameters fruit’s lycopene content. Lycopene content is higher in
Preharvest Zn-based fertilizer applications show no fruits of plants treated with Zn fertilizer compare to
effect on physiological weight losses (PWL) of fruit in control fruits.

Table 3. Quality and storability parameters of tomato fruits received preharvest Zn-based fertilizer.
Treatments
Parameters T00 T04 T05 T06 P-values
PWL 2 (%) 0.83±1.11a 0.55±0.71a 0.61±0.78a 0.57±0.73a 0.788 ns
PWL 5 (%) 4.04±1.13b 3.63±0.89ab 3.40±1.03ab 3.12±0.56a 0.044 *
PWL 8 (%) 7.67±1.96ab 8.14±1.23b 6.59±1.59a 6.71±0.95a 0.014 *
PWL 11 (%) 11.62±3.27a 12.62±0.36a 10.94±1.77a 10.52±1.47a 0.484 ns
SL (days) 11.57±1.65a 12.46±1.06a 12.33±1.11a 12.73±1.09a 0.0884
SR 11(%) 74.82±3.90b 67.77±4.89ab 65.25±4.39ab 59.54±6.35a 0.032 *
FNESS (kg/f) 3.98±0.03a 4.00±0.00a 4.00±0.00a 4.00±0.00a 0.405 ns
Lyco (mg/100g) 0.25±0.05ab 0.24±0.02a 0.27±0.03a 0.43±0.08b 0.005 **
β-Car (mg/100g) 0.14±0.02b 0.07±0.01a 0.05±0.00a 0.11±0.02b 0.000 ***
TA (%) 0.24±0.02a 0.27±0.05ab 0.29±0.04ab 0.38±0.04b 0.017 *
TSSC (°Brix) 5.66±0.57a 5.60±1.21a 6.16±0.28a 6.23±0.25a 0.597 ns

Values followed by the same letters in the same row firmness; T00: control plants; T04: plants that
are not significantly different at 5% probability received liquid Zn fertilizer at 5ml/l; T04: plants that
threshold according to the Turkey test. PWL5: received the liquid Zn fertilizer at 10ml/l; T06: plants
physiological weight loss of fruits on the 5th day after that received liquid Zn fertilizer at 15ml/l.
harvesting; SL; shelf life; TSSC: total soluble solid Discussion
content; TA: titratable acidity; RI: ripening index; Growth parameters of plant
Lyco: lycopene; β-Car: β-carotene; SR 11: senescence Soil zinc deficiency is a problem that is common and
rate of fruits on the 11th day after harvesting; FNESS: widespread worldwide (Cakmak, 2000).

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This deficiency in zinc results in physiological and suggesting that Zn has a key role in plant
biochemical depressions in plant (Alloway, 2008). In reproduction and flowering enhancement. Pandey et
this study, tomato growth parameters namely plant al. (2006) obtained similar results on Lens culinaris
height, number of leaves, plant diameter and number where flowering occurred significantly earlier by five
of branches per plant showed a positive response to to six days due to Zn application. According to
Zn-based fertilizer. Plants that received Zn-based Alloway (2008), Zn intervenes in plant reproduction
fertilizer exhibited the highest height and number of and improves pollen development. Pollen grains and
branches per plant as compared to control plant anthers development required high level of Zn in
(T00). As shown in Table 1, growth parameters comparison to other plant parts (Sharma et al., 1990).
augmented progressively with increasing zinc Early flowering also contributed to a significant
concentrations. Similar results have previously been increase in the numbers of bud flowers, number of
reported by Haleema et al. (2018) on Solanum flowers and number of fruits per plant. Similar results
lycopersicum, Ahmed et al. (2011) on Solanum have been reported previously by Ejaz et al. (2012)
tuberosum and Bhatt and Maheshwari (2020) on and Haleema et al. (2018) on tomato plant. Early
Capsicum annum where foliar application of zinc flowering and enhancement of pollen viability after
improved plant height and numbers of branches. Zn fertilizer application can thus explain the
Karnwal (2020) had noted similar effect by improving improvement of flowers buds, number of flowers and
soil bioavailability of Zn using Zn-solubilizing number of fruits (Alloway, 2008). Moreover, Zn is
microorganisms. Also, Cakmak (2000) reported that reported to decrease biosynthesis of abscisic acid in
Zn intervenes in many physiological and biochemical cells (Pandey et al., 2006; Das and Green, 2013).
processes such as biosynthesis of indole-acetic acid Fruit development namely lateral and longitudinal
(Cakmak, 2000). Zn is an essential nutrient in diameters were not affected by application of Zn
tryptophan synthesis which is a precursor in auxin fertilizer. Similar results were reported by Luo et al.
biosynthesis (Mousavi et al., 2013). Moreover, Zn also (2018) on Dimocarpus longan where foliar treatment
boost nitrogen uptake and accumulation in plant cells of ZnSO4 had not significant effect on longitudinal
which is an essential macronutrient in plant growth and lateral diameter of fruits and didn’t affect fruit
Grzebisz et al. (2008). Furthermore, Vallee and weight. This result contradicts that of Abd El-Baky et
Falchuk (1993) had noted that Zn is an essential al. (2010) that showed that length and diameter of
component in biosynthesis of many proteins and Ipomea batatas tubers are significantly affected after
enzymes. Zn is a main component of carbonic application of Zn-based fertilizer. A tentative
anhydrase enzyme which led to photosynthesis explanation of this contrast can be that a slight and
activities (Cakmak, 2000). non-sufficient Zn concentration during vegetative
growth of crop may result to improve Zn tissue
Development parameters of plant concentrations in detriment of yields components
The improvement of growth parameters because of (Montalvo et al., 2016).
zinc fertilizer application promoted early appearance
of flowers. Zinc fertilizer application also increased Fruit quality and storability
several development parameters. These results are Zinc is a necessary element in the maintenance of
supported by the fact that Zn has an important living membranes (Mousavi et al., 2013). Application
metabolic role in plant growth and development of Zn fertilizer exhibited significantly effect on the
(Mousavi et al., 2013). Most of the development storability and quality parameters of tomato fruit.
parameters in this study were influenced by Zn-based Thus, a drastic decrease of physiological weight losses
fertilizer. The time elapsed between the seedling (PWL) and senescence rate of fruit was observed as
transplanting date and the date of the appearance of the concentration of Zn-based fertilizer increased.
the first flower (TETAF) of Zn fertilized plants was Unlike, lycopene content, titratable acidity and β-
significantly shortened in contrast to control plant, carotene showed increasing values with increasing

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concentrations of Zn application. Similar finding was Affognon H, Mutungi C, Sanginga P,

reported by Luo et al. (2018) on Dimocarpus longan Borgemeister C. 2015. Unpacking Postharvest
that preharvest Zn-based fertilizer decreased PWL, Losses in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Meta-Analysis.
rate of rotting, browning rate of fruit and increasing World Development 66, 49-68.
resistance against quiescent microbial infection.
Increasing respiration rate and biosynthesis of Aghofack-Nguemezi J, Noumbo GT, Nkumbe
ethylene in climacteric fruit at ambient temperature CN. 2014. Influence of calcium and magnesium-
led to significant weight losses and senescence of fruit based fertilizers on fungal diseases, plant growth
(Haile, 2018). PWL in fresh product occur due to parameters and fruit quality of three varieties of
water loss after harvest and lead to water stress in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Journal of Science
fruit which enhance or accelerate senescence (Diaz- and Technology 34(1), 9-20.
Pérez, 2019). Zn is accumulated mainly in cell wall
and contributes to decrease cation exchange capacity Ahmed AA, Abd El-Baky MMH, Zaki MF, Abd El-
of cell wall (Muschitz et al., 2015). Additionally, Zn Aal Faten S. 2011. Effect of Foliar Application of Active
may be involved in maintaining the integrity of Yeast Extract and Zinc on Growth, Yield and Quality of
cellular membranes, structural orientation of Potato Plant (Solanum tuberosum L.). Journal of
macromolecules and maintenance of ions transport Applied Sciences Research 7(12), 2479-2488.
systems (Cakmak, 2000; Alloway, 2008). A sufficient
Zn uptake by plant lead to bind of Zn2+ ions to Alloway BJ. 2008. Zinc in soils and crop nutrition.
cysteine, blocking binding of Fe to cysteine and thus Paris, France: IFA; and Brussels, Belgium: IZA.
preventing formation of Fe2+(RS-)2 and ROS during
cycling of Fe-cysteine complex (Alloway, 2008). An Alloway BJ. 2009. Soil factors associated with zinc
improvement of carotenoids content in sweet potato deficiency in crops and humans. Environmental
(Ipomea batatas) tubers had been reported by Abd Geochemistry Health 31, 537-548.
El-Baky et al. (2010).
Arah IK, Amaglo H, Kumah EK, Ofori H. 2015.
Conclusion Preharvest and Postharvest Factors Affecting the
Zinc is an essential component which intervenes in Quality and Shelf Life of Harvested Tomatoes: A Mini
many physiological and biochemical processes. Review. International Journal of Agronomy
Preharvest application of Zn on tomato plant has http:// dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/478041.
contributed in improving growth and development
parameters such as plant height and early flowering Bai Y, Lindhout P. 2007. Domestication and
of plants, leading to an increase in productivity. Breeding of Tomatoes: What have We Gained and
Furthermore, Zn affects quality and storability What Can We Gain in the Future? Annals of Botany
parameters of fruits by decreasing PWL and 100, 1085-1094.
senescence rate. It also causes a significant increase in
carotenoids content and titratable acidity. The Bhatt K, Maheshwari DK. 2020. Zinc solubilizing
concentration of 15ml/l exhibited the best results on bacteria (Bacillus megaterium) with multifarious
most of the parameters evaluated. plant growth promoting activities alleviates growth in
Capsicum annuum L. 3 Biotechnology 10(39), 1-10.
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