Morpho-physiological, productivity, and phytochemical responses of NIL-Sletr1-2 tomato mutants as an effect to different types of elicitors

Near isogenic lines (NIL) were created to maintain good allele introgression in commercial tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum). NIL-Sletr 1-2 mutant tomato has a long shelf life. However, its growth, productivity, and fruit quality (taste and nutrition content) are below its maternal commercial cultivar. Elicitors were known to enhance tomatoes' taste and nutrition content effectively. Elicitors induced secondary metabolite synthesis in fruits, vegetables, and herbs. This study was carried out using a nonfactorial, completely randomized design. Four levels of elicitors were used: control (E0), 160 mM NaCl (E1), 0.5 mM salicylic acid (E2), and 0.25 mM methyl jasmonate (E3). This research aimed to uncover morpho-physiological, productivity, and phytochemical responses of NIL-Sletr1-2 tomato mutants to different elicitors. The results showed that elicitors have a significant impact on every parameter above. NaCl treatment increased the number of fruits per trusses, flowers per trusses, fruit pH, β-carotene, total sugar, and antioxidant activity. Salicylic acid enhanced the fruit diameter, fruit weight, pH, and β-carotene. Meanwhile, methyl jasmonate increased fruit weight, fruit diameter, pH, lycopene, total phenolic compound, and flavonoids. These results suggest that elicitors effectively increased the production and phytochemical properties of NIL-Sletr1-2 mutant tomato.