Effect of Foliar Salicylic Acid Applications on Plant Growth and Yield of Tomato under Greenhouse Conditions

This study was conducted to determine the effect of foliar salicylic acid (SA) applications on fruit quality, growth and yield of tomato under greenhouse conditions in 2006 and 2007. In the study, fruit diameter, fruit length, fruit weight, fruit number per plant, Vitamin C, pH, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), stem diameter, leaf dry matter ratio, chlorophyll content, early yield and total yield were determined. Tomato plants were treated with foliar SA applications at different concentrations (0.00, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 mM). SA was applied with spraying four times during the vegetation at 10-day intervals two weeks after planting. In the study, it was determined that foliar applications of SA showed positive effect on some fruit characteristics, plant growth, chlorophyll content in leaves, early yield and total yield. SA treatments had no effect on pH, AA and TA of tomato. Total soluble solids (TSS) increased with foliar SA applications. The greatest stem diameter, leaf dry matter and chlorophyll content were obtained from 0.50 mM SA treatment. SA treatments increased the early yield of tomato compared to the control. The yield of tomato was significantly influenced by foliar SA applications. The highest yield occurred in 0.50 mM SA treatment. According to our results, applications of 0.50 mM SA should be recommended in order to improve yield.