Role of plant probiotics, sucrose and silicon in the production of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings under heat stress in a greenhouse

Abstract

The rising temperature and global warming is a great challenge our planet facing nowadays. The production of vegetables in a greenhouse system under high temperatures could also be considered a vital threat for arid zones in particular. This study was carried out during two successive summer seasons under greenhouse conditions. The effect of different amendments including plant probiotics, silicon, sucrose and paclobutrazol were investigated on growth and quality of tomato seedlings under heat stress in a greenhouse. The main findings of this study were the followings: foliar applications of plant probiotics (100 mg l-1) resulted in the tallest seedlings followed by sucrose (10%) and silicon (500 mg l-1) treatments 28 and 35 days after sowing (DAS), whereas the shortest seedlings were obtained from the treatments of the control, silicon (100 mg l-1) and paclobutrazol (100 mg l-1). There were significant differences among all treatments for chlorophyll content, at both growth stages and after 28 and 35 DAS in both seasons in most cases. Tomato seedlings could overcome the high temperature stress under greenhouse conditions, with foliar application of plant probiotics, sucrose and silicon. Further studies are needed focusing on the gene expression and biochemical traits under previous treatment conditions.