Optimizing Iodine Seed Priming for Enhanced Yield and Biofortification of Tomato

Iodine (I) is an important micro-element required for healthy life, yet global prevalence of its deficiency created the need to improve I contents in plant based foods which are mostly low in I. Therefore, in this two-year study, we investigated an improved method of agronomic biofortification using I seed priming with the aim to address I deficiency effectively. A model greenhouse pot experiment was performed under semi controlled conditions, involving two commercially available hybrids Sandal and Sahel. Tomato seeds were primed with different concentrations of potassium iodide (KI) in the range of 1-40 mg L- 1 resulting in differential I enrichment in tomato fruits, and we observed its impact on seedling traits, yield components, physiological responses, biochemical parameters and fruit quality attributes. The study revealed significant differences in all parameters measured as influenced by the I priming treatments and tomato hybrids. Optimal results, including improved seedling traits, enhanced yield attributes, favorable physiological responses, and superior fruit quality with a significant increment in fruit I contents were observed with I and 10 mg L- 1 KI solutions. Tomato emerges as a good candidate for agronomic biofortification through I seed priming due to its easiness, efficacy and cost-effectiveness along with requirement of minimal I dose sufficient to achieve considerable enrichment in tomato fruit, highlighting its potential for widespread adoption by farmers to effectively combat I deficiency.