Multivariate analysis of the effect of deficit irrigation on postharvest storability of tomato

Abstract

This study examined the changes in tomato quality during storage under three irrigation regimes: normal irrigation, mild deficit irrigation, and moderate deficit irrigation. Results indicated that deficit irrigation could maintain high levels of soluble sugar content and firmness in tomatoes both before and after storage, although it also accelerated quality degradation. Deficit irrigation influences the quality changes of tomatoes by regulating the expression of genes related to cell wall modifications (such as Polygalacturonase, Pectate lyase 8, etc.), plant hormones (such as 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase, abscisic acid 8′-hydroxylase 1, etc.), and sugar metabolism pathways (such as pyruvate kinase 1, hexokinase, etc.). Additionally, deficit irrigation also affects the abundance changes of metabolites such as lipids, lipid molecules, organic acids, and their derivatives during tomato storage. This study elucidates the regulation and control of tomato storage tolerance by different levels of deficit irrigation from physiological and molecular perspectives.