Mineral Uptake and Soluble Carbohydrates of Tomato Plants as Affected by Air Temperatures and Mineral Treatment Levels

Both low and high temperatures affect plant growth and development at whole plant level, tissue and even cell level through a variety of metabolic changes. Temperature stress is one of frequently occurring problems in greenhouse crops in summer and winter seasons due to the wide-spread year-round cultivation. In the present study, we investigated the extent of the inhibition of growth, macro-element uptake and soluble carbohydrate production, and the effect of extra-supply of minerals as a means of the recovery from temperature damage. Tomato plants were grown five different growth temperatures (15/8, 20/13, 28/21, 33/23 and 36/26°C), and extra-supply of minerals was composed of 1.5- and 2.0-fold stronger than the standard nutrition (1/2 strength of Hoagland’s solution). Temperature stress significantly adversely affected tomato growth and mineral uptake, whereas soluble carbohydrate accumulation represented temperature-dependent response, more accumulation at low temperature and more consumption at high temperature. The soluble sugars in leaves and stems were mostly declined with the supply of extra-minerals at low and optimal temperatures, whereas remained unchanged at high temperature. The starch levels also remained unchanged or slightly decreased.