The Yield and Diseases-Pest Performance of Breeding Materials for Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) Sourced from Different Exotic Sources

A study was conducted with 36 tomato germplasm [PGRC (19), The Netherlands (7), Japan (2), and Bangladesh (9)] with 3 check varieties in the research field of the Olericulture Division of Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur during the winter season of 2022-23 to identify promising tomato breeding germplasm. All the germplasm showed differences in most of the parameters studied. Considerable variation was observed for fruit yield per hectare varied from 39 to 144 tons, while the highest fruit yield per hectare was harvested from the germplasm viz., BD 7759B, BD 7757, BD 7751, BD 7301, QM, BD 7759A, BD 7762, QF, BD 7753, BD 8886, BD 10351, NL-1A, SLA-19. The number of locules, total soluble solids (TSS) and plant height at last harvest varied from 2 to 6.6, 2.6 to 5.9%, and 66 to 154cm, respectively. The TYLCV infection (%) and leaf-sucking pest infestation (%) were observed with a 1 to 20% range in the field condition in both cases. So, we can select that germplasm has zero per cent infestation. Considering the plant growth habit, earliness, different yield contributing horticultural traits, virus and pest infestation thirteen germplasm viz., BD 7759B, BD 7757, BD 7751, BD 7301, QM, BD 7759A, BD 7762, QF, BD 7753, BD 8886, BD 10351, NL-1A, SLA-19 were selected as breeding materials for further tomato improvement program.

Yield and Pest Performance of High-Temperature Tolerant Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Lines for Year-Round Tomato Production in Bangladesh

The study was conducted at Olericulture Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh during summer season of 2021 to see the performances of yield and yield-related components of twelve heat tolerant tomato hybrids. Significant variation was expressed for days to first harvest (101.0 - 108.0 days), while maximum number of fruits per plant was calculated in F1 2101 and F1 2201 (9.5), followed by F1 203, F1 2001, F1 2303, F1 2401 (9.0). The highest single fruit weight was estimated in F1 2501 (195.5 g), followed by F1 2101 (119.0 g), F1 2201 (113.8 g), while the range was 33.1 - 195.5 g. The range of fruit yield was 7.9 - 38.7 t/ha, while higher-yielding hybrids were viz., F1 203 (27.7 t/ha), F1 2101 (35.5 t/ha), F1 2201 (33.9 t/ha) and F1 2501 (28.7 t/ha). Maximum TSS was produced by F1 2501 (5.9%), followed by BARI Hybrid Tomato-8 (5.1%), F1 1101, F1 1903 (5.0%), with a range of 4.0% - 5.9%, while TYLCV infection and leaf sucking pest infestation varied from 0.0% - 10.0% and 3.3% - 16.7%, respectively. Thus, based on the performances of different yield and yield contributing traits, the hybrids, viz., F1 2101, F1 2201, F1 2501 may be selected to develop heat tolerant tomato hybrid varieties for the farmers of sub-tropical regions.

Microclimate modification using eco-friendly nets and floating row covers improves tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i>) yield and quality for small holder farmers in East Africa

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is one of the important vegetables in supplying vitamins, minerals and fiber to human diets worldwide. Its successful production in the tropics is, however, constrained by environmental variations especially under open field conditions. Two trials were conducted at the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University, Kenya to evaluate the effects of agricultural nets (agronets) herein called eco-friendly nets (EFNs) and floating row covers (FRCs) on microclimate modification, yield, and quality of tomato. A randomized complete block design with five replications was used. Tomato plants were grown under fine mesh EFN (0.4-mm pore diameter) cover, large mesh EFN (0.9-mm pore diameter) cover or FRC. The EFN and FRC were maintained either permanently closed or opened thrice a week from 9 am to 3 pm. Two open control treatments were used: unsprayed (untreated control) or sprayed with chemicals (treated control). The use of EFN or FRC modified the microclimate with higher temperatures, lower diurnal temperature ranges, and higher volumetric water content recorded compared with the controls. On the other hand, light quantity and photosynthetic active radiation were reduced by the use of EFN and FRC compared with the controls. The use of FRC and EFN resulted in more fruit and higher percent in marketable yield compared with open field production. Fruit quality at harvest was also significantly improved by the use of EFN and FRC. Fruits with higher total soluble solids (TSS), lower titratable acidity (TA), and higher sugar acid ratio were obtained in EFN and FRC treatments compared with the controls. Fruits harvested from EFN and FRC were also firmer compared with control fruits. These findings demonstrate the potential of EFN and FRC in modifying microclimate conditions and improving yields and quality of tomato under tropical field conditions.

The Effect of Water Hyacinth (<i>Eichhornia crassipes</i>) Compost on Tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i>) Growth Attributes, Yield Potential and Heavy Metal Levels

The potential of different water hyacinth compost application rates in influencing growth attributes, yield and heavy metal accumulation of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) in tomato fruit was studied in Masvingo. Four treatments of water hyacinth compost rates of 0, 37, 55.6 and 74.1 t·ha-1 were each replicated three times and applied in a randomized complete block design set up. Results showed that water hyacinth compost application rates significantly affected plant height, days to maturity and yield but had no influence on the number of tomato fruits per plant. The plant height at application rate of 74.1 t·ha-1 was 25%, 56% and 63% higher than the control at week 6, 9 and 12, respectively. At application rates of 56.6 t·ha-1, plant heights were 11%, 13% and 12% higher than the control whilst marginal plant height differences of -4%, 6% and 4% were recorded between application rate of 34.7 t·ha-1 and the control at week 6, 9 and 12, respectively. Tomato plants under compost rates of 34.7, 56.6 and 74.1 t·ha-1 in comparison to the control delayed maturity by 10, 17 and 20 days, respectively. Yields of 52, 55, 60 and 68 t·ha-1 were realized from hyacinth compost rates of 0, 34.7, 56.6 and 74.1 t·ha-1, respectively. Heavy metal concentrations increased with increase in the water hyacinth compost rate but at all application rates, the average concentrations were 85%, 93% and 86% lower than the Codex Alimentarious Commission permissible levels for Pb, Cu and Zn. Water hyacinth compost at a rate of 74 t·ha-1 therefore can be used for increased tomato yield without exposing consumers to heavy metal toxicity.

Study on the Pollen Thermo-Sensitive and Stigma Exsertion Male Sterile Line Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cv. Da107

To accelerate the breeding process, male sterile line is used to leave out the troublesome procedures of the artificial emasculation in tomato breeding. However, the fertility of the pollen thermo-sensitivity male sterile line (PTMSL) and the stigma exsertion male sterile line (SEMSL) are affected easily by the environments when used alone. The trial materials were Da107 and the control was First. This study was conducted to create a new male sterile line of tomato characterized by pollen thermo-sensitivity and long style by genic recombination through the hybridizing of the PTMSL and SEMSL. Research on the statistics of the pollen germination rate, the contamination rate in F1 and the flower organics indicated that Da107 was an ideal TS and SE male sterile line with the sterility of 95%, as well as it also could be used as fertile line at low temperature. Meanwhile, the results showed that hybrid-seed contamination risk with selfed seeds from residual fertility in Da107 was low.

外源NO与蔗糖对盐胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)幼苗氧化损伤的保护效应

选取长至6～8片真叶的健康番茄（Lycopersicon esculentum Mill）幼苗,分别进行蔗糖、硝普钠（sodium nitropresside,SNP,作为外源NO供体）及其体积比例组合（1∶1）处理;36h后施以NaCl胁迫,并分别于0h（胁迫前）、24h、48h和72h取样,进行相关生理生化指标测定。具体5个实验处理如下：A.蒸馏水（CK）;B.100 mmol/L NaCl;C.0.1 mmol/L SNP＋100 mmol/L NaCl;D.0.1 mmol/L SNP＋1.0mmol/L蔗糖＋100 mmol/L NaCl;E.1.0 mmol/L蔗糖＋100 mmol/L NaCl。结果表明：与SNP和蔗糖单独处理相比,二者组合处理对缓解盐胁迫下番茄幼苗的氧化损伤存在正协同效应,主要表现在进一步增强了番茄幼苗超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）和谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）的活性;提高了脯氨酸（Pro）的含量,同时膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛（MDA）含量显著降低（P〈0.05）。采用聚丙烯酰胺浓度梯度凝胶电泳对盐胁迫24 h和48 h材料的POD同功酶检测表明,当NaCl单独处理时,番茄幼苗叶片POD同功酶第V条带缺失,其它谱带酶量减少,抑制了POD同功酶的表达;SNP和蔗糖单独处理能够保护盐胁迫（24、48h）所导致的POD同功酶条带的完整;而组合处理既保证了POD同功酶条带的完整,又加强了酶量的表达。随着盐胁迫时间的延长,其氧化损伤程度愈烈,SNP和蔗糖组合处理能够更有效地缓解盐胁迫对番茄幼苗植株造成的氧化损伤。

盐胁迫对番茄幼苗(Lycopersicon esculentum L.)抗氧化酶活性和同工酶的影响(英文)

【目的】研究盐胁迫对番茄幼苗抗氧化酶活性和同工酶的影响。【方法】以番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum L.)F144种子为材料,种子萌发2d后用120mmol/L NaCl处理7d,测定幼苗谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR),谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX),过氧化氢酶(CAT),超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)的活性以及同工酶。【结果】在120mmol/L NaCl作用下,CAT和APX活性显著提高,GR和GPX活性提高不显著,而SOD活性无显著变化。SDS-PAGE分析发现,番茄幼苗叶中的GR有两条同工酶,分子量分别为50kDa和46kDa,GPX有3条同工酶,分子量分别为60、50和48kDa,CAT有两条主要的同工酶,APX有3条主要同工酶,SOD有3条同工酶;在120mmol/L NaCl作用下,GR中分子量为46kDa的同工酶消失,GPX中的48kDa和60kDa同工酶受到显著抑制,CATⅠ、CATⅡ和APXⅡ增强,而SOD的同工酶没有变化。【结论】CAT和APX是主要的盐胁迫抗氧化清除剂。

日光温室番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum)群体冠层内光能截获特征及其光环境分析

通过试验设置完全封闭、行间开放、行内开放和完全开放4个不同的遮阴处理,把日光温室番茄冠层内复杂的光环境按方向逐渐分解,对光合有效辐射的采样数据进行统计分析,探究冠层内光能辐射传递在垂直方向和水平方向上的分布构成及空间分布的异质性,对冠层内光截获的主要影响因子进行相关性分析。统计分析表明,行间和行内的光线分量主要对200~800μmol·m-2·s-1冠层内光合有效辐射产生影响。通过比较冠层内的光合有效辐射数据的离散程度及变异特性得出,番茄植株整体的光合有效辐射均值存在很大程度的不均匀性,中下部变异系数CV〉0.50。对冠层内光截获的主要影响因子进行相关性分析得出,冠层内光合有效辐射与冠层高度呈极显著正相关（r=0.976）,与累积叶面积指数呈负相关（r=-0.952）,与光线方向及入射光线时间相关显著（r=0.910,r=0.952）。

Influence of Exogenously Applied Epibrassinolide and Putrescine on Protein Content, Antioxidant Enzymes and Lipid Peroxidation in <i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i>under Salinity Stress

Brassinosteroids (BRs) and polyamines (PAs) are widely used to overcome abiotic stresses including salinity stress (NaCl) in plants. In the present investigation, we evaluated the co-application efficacy of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR, a highly active BR) and putrescine (Put, a PA) on the NaCl stress (75 mM and 150 mM) tolerance of Lycopersicon esculentum L. cv. kuber geeta plants. A small rise in protein content was recorded under salinity stress in comparison with untreated control. The NaCl stress was found to significantly enhance the activities of guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD);while decline in catalase (CAT) activity was recorded when compared with the untreated control. Salinity stress both at 75 mM and 150 mM was able to cause significant membrane damage as evidenced by an increase in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) content over untreated control. The EBR and Put co-applications were able to improve protein content in NaCl stressed plants over only NaCl stressed plants. The co-applications of EBR and Put were able to significantly enhance the activities of CAT, SOD and GPOX in L. esculentum under salinity stress (75 mM and 150 mM) when compared with NaCl stressed plants alone. Major decline in the MDA level recorded for EBR and Put co-applications under NaCl stress revealed reduced membrane damages when compared with NaCl stressed plants alone. Our findings provide evidence that EBR and Put co-applications are effective in amelioration of NaCl stress in L. esculentum. Thus co-application potential of EBR and Put may acts an eco-friendly approach towards NaCl stress mitigation in economically important crops.

Induction of Volatile Organic Compounds in Leaves of Lycopersicon Esculentum by Nd^(3+)

The effects of Nd^3＋ on the quality and quantity of volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in the leaves of Lycopersicon esculentum were studied. The results demonstrate that Nd^3＋ can increase the total amount of VOC by 75% after treatment for 120 h, as compared with the control. Phyto-oxylipins, terpenoids and aromatic compounds were increased by 73%, 38% and 21%, respectively. （E）-2-hexenal, the most abundant constituent is increased by 74%, β- phellandrene and α-caryophyllene in terpenoids,

Antiproliferative Activity of “<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i>” Leaves (Var. Paul Robenson): Preliminary Study

Among plants, the Lycopersicon esculentum (Solanaceae) is the most important for its beneficial effects on health. Several epidemiological studies have shown the benefits of tomato consumption in the cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention. Tomato products constitute the major source of lycopene, the most potent antioxidant among carotenoids in vitro. In tomatoes leaves are also present many secondary metabolites including phenolic compounds, phytoalexins, protease inhibitors and glycoalkaloids who protect against adverse effects of hosts including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and insects and are involved in host-plant resistance. In this work we evaluated the antiproliferative activity of tomato leaves extract (var. Paul Robenson) in vitro.

花青苷对低温弱光处理的番茄(L.esculentum Mill.)幼苗光合机构的保护作用

【目的】探索幼苗叶片花青苷对低温弱光处理的番茄幼苗的光合作用是否具有保护作用。【方法】利用硫灯和氙灯下生长的番茄幼苗真叶之间以及野生型(WT)和光敏素双突变体(phyB1phyB2)幼苗真叶之间花青苷含量的差异,以叶绿素荧光为指标,研究花青苷对低温弱光处理的番茄幼苗叶片光合荧光变化的影响。【结果】低温弱光(2oC,100μmol photons·m-2·s-1)对番茄幼苗叶片PSⅡ具有显著的抑制作用,但是对PSI活性影响不大。低温弱光处理硫灯和氙灯下的番茄幼苗及硫灯下的WT和突变体番茄幼苗3h后,硫灯下富含花青苷的番茄PSⅡ光化学效率Fv/Fm降低到处理前的76.3%,氙灯下的降低到63.3%;能合成花青苷的WT的Fv/Fm降低到处理前的64.3%左右,而不能合成花青苷的phyB1phyB2降低到处理前的53.7%;下降程度显著高于WT。在番茄幼苗叶片不能合成花青苷后,分别生长在硫灯和氙灯下的番茄植株叶片在经过低温弱光处理3h后,叶片的PSⅡ光化学效率Fv/Fm的变化幅度没有显著的差别;同样,硫灯下WT和phyB1phyB2植株之间也没有显著差别。【结论】花青苷对低温弱光逆境处理的番茄叶片的光合机构具有保护作用,这种保护作用极可能与花青素对可见光和紫外光的吸收和屏蔽作用有关。

控释肥联合养分增效剂显著提高番茄产量与品质

采用田间试验,以番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)品种瑞菲为试验材料,通过控释肥联合养分增效剂探究其对番茄生长、产量与品质的影响。结果表明,控释肥联合养分增效剂能显著增加植株茎粗(P<0.05);与常规施肥相比,控释肥和控释肥联合养分增效剂可显著改善番茄品质,番茄果实可溶性固形物含量有增加的趋势,可溶性糖含量、维生素C含量显著提高(P<0.05),番茄果实色泽度和硬度均有所改善;与常规施肥相比,控释肥和控释肥联合养分增效剂能有效提高番茄产量与经济效益,产量分别增加12.7%和29.2%,净利润分别增加3.65万元/hm^(2)和7.72万元/hm^(2)。综上,控释肥联合养分增效剂可实现番茄增产增效,在实现轻简化生产中具有重要的实践价值。

枸杞枝条提取物对圣女果的贮藏保鲜效果研究

目的探究枸杞枝条提取液对圣女果采后的保鲜效果。方法以“中宁7号”枸杞枝条为材料,采用比色法、比浊法等方法,测定其提取液中活性成分含量及其抗氧化能力、抑菌活性和保鲜作用,分析枸杞枝条提取液对5℃和20℃贮藏的圣女果的保鲜效果。结果枸杞枝条提取液中富含黄酮、皂甙和多酚等活性成分,且具有良好的抗氧化能力和抑菌活性;枸杞枝条提取液对圣女果具有保鲜作用,能够显著降低圣女果质量损失率、抗坏血酸、总酸和可溶性固形物含量,较好地保持果实的色度和硬度,并有效提高超氧化物歧化酶活性,延缓果实腐烂变质;枸杞枝条提取液处理过的圣女果在5℃下可贮藏35 d,20℃下可贮藏21 d,与对照组(不做任何处理CK)相比,将圣女果贮藏期分别延长了14 d和6 d,同时保持了良好的营养品质。结论枸杞枝条提取液对圣女果果实具有保鲜作用,这为延长圣女果贮藏期以及开发天然保鲜剂奠定了理论基础,同时为枸杞枝条的深度开发和利用提供了新的思路和方向。

Study on Inheritance Mechanism of Tomato Fruit Firmness

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the inheritance mechanism of tomato fruit firmness.[Method] Two tomato cultivars significantly different in fruit firmness were selected for investigation of the inheritance mechanism of tomato fruit firmness using combination analysis of six generations （P1,P2,F1,F2,B1 and B2）.[Result] The results indicated that the heredity of tomato fruit firmness was consistent with the additive-dominant model controlled by one pair of major genes; the additive effect （d）,dominant effect （h） and degree of dominance （h/d） of major genes were 17.37,-7.96 and-0.46,respectively,showing positive additive effect and incompletely dominant-negative effect; the hereditability of major gene effect in B1,B2 and F2 generation was 88.59％,45.81％ and 85.62％,respectively.[Conclusion] The heredity of fruit firmness was controlled by one pair of major gene,showing significant additive effect and dominant effect.

Molecular Cloning the Gene of Small Heat Shock Protein in the Mitochondria and Endoplasmic Reticulum of Tomato

A cDNA Library was constructed with the heat shocked tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) flowers and then was screened with the probes of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum conservative regions that were cloned by using RT-PCR. The complete cDNAs of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum small heat shock protein ( shsp) were selected out from the cDNA library. Furthermore, the temperature responses of these shsp genes were determined. Northern hybridization showed that the heat response temperatures of both genes in tomato flower were lower than that in leaf and that mitochondria shsp in leaf was cold-inducible. In this paper, the molecular features of the cloned genes, the causes of the uncommon heat response temperatures of sHSP in newer and the cold inducible character of mitochondria shsp gene in leaf were discussed.

Effect of Low Night Temperature Treatment on Sucrose Synthesis Ability of Tomato Leaves in Seedling Stage

[Objective] The aim was to explore the effects of low night temperature treatment on sucrose synthesis ability of tomato leaves in seedling stage.[Method] Effects of low night temperature of 6 ℃（with 15 ℃ as control）on the sucrose synthesis ability of tomato leaves were studied after 1,3,5,7 d of treatment.[Result] The contents of fructose,glucose and sucrose in tomato leaves were higher than control at 6：00 during the treatment of low night temperature,but in contrast at 11：00.The contents of fructose,glucose and sucrose in tomato leaves of low night temperature treatment and control group at 6：00 were lower than that at 11：00.The content of starch in tomato leaves was higher than control at 6：00 and 11：00 during the treatment.And the activities of sugar metabolism enzymes of tomato were changed by the treatment of low night temperature.The activities of acid invertase（AI）and neutral invertase（NI）were higher than those of control,while the activities of sucrose synthase（SS）and sucrose phosphate synthase（SPS）were lower than control at 6：00 and 11：00 during the treatment.The activity of all the enzymes at 11：00 of low night temperature treatment plants treated for 1,3,5,7 d was higher than that at 6：00.Compared to 6：00,the invertase activity of the control plant decreased,while the synthetase activity increased.The activity of sucrose synthase（SS）was decreased for treated plants,and the increase amount of sucrose content in leaves was lower than that of control at 11：00 during the treatment,indicating that the sucrose synthesis ability of tomato leaves was decreased by the treatment of low night temperature.[Conclusion] The results in this study had provided theoretical basis for the environmental control of high-yield cultivation of tomato.

番茄(Lycoqersicon esculentum Mill)小孢子发生及其雄配子体发育的细胞学观察

番茄小孢子的发生从孢原细胞开始,经过造孢细胞,小孢子母细胞、四分体、小孢子、雄配子体等发育阶段,最后形成二核花粉.番茄的绒毡层细胞是由初生壁细胞衍生的同型的双核细胞,正常情况下在减数分裂时期至四分体时期同步溶解.番茄的绒毡层为"变形绒毡层"类型,即溶解后的绒毡层要形成周原质团流入药室.番茄小孢子母细胞的减数分裂为同时型,在减数第一次分裂后不立即形成细胞壁,而是形成一个双核细胞;第二次分裂中,两个核同时进行分裂,其方向互为垂直,当分裂完成时,在四个核之间产生细胞壁,分隔成一个呈正四面体形的四分体.新形成的小孢子有浓厚细胞质和一个位于中央的细胞核.小孢子进一步发育形成明显的细胞壁,增大体积,细胞核被挤向一侧,在贴近细胞壁的位置上细胞核进行有丝分裂.分裂的结果形成两个子核:生殖核和营养核,两核之间最初由一弧形细胞板分隔成两个不等的细胞.番茄小孢子的发育基本是同步的,大多数小孢子都能发育成正常的成熟花粉.

Effects on Sucrose Metabolism,Dry Matter Distribution and Fruit Quality of Tomato Under Water Deficit

Four irrigation treatments were designed with 2,4,6 and 8 d intervals to irrigate, respectively. Watering was stopped when the reading of the moisture tension sensor reached zero. The results indicated that glucose and fructose content of tomato's fruit were increased but sucrose content was decreased with fruit growth and development. In different stages, carbohydrate content of tomato fruit in the treatment 3 was the highest, in the treatment 2 was higher, and in the other treatments was the lowest. SS(sucrose synthase)activity was decreased but SPS(sucrose phosphate synthase)activity was increased with development of tomato. SS and SPS activity were increased but acid invertase and neutral invertase activity of ripe stage were decreased under deficit irrigation. Glucose and fructose content were increased in leaves of tomato under water deficit. Soluble sugars, organic acid and the ratio of sugar/acid in tomato fruits were increased and dry matter accumulation of plant was enhanced under water deficit. But the growth of fruits upside the plant and its dry matter accumulation were badly affected under water stress.

Response of Tomato Plants to a New Application Method of Polyolefin-Coated Fertilizer

The response of tomato （Lycopersicon esculentum） plants basically fertilized with 0.3 g N per plant of compound fertilizer with a N：P2O5：K2O ratio of 20：10：20 to sticks of polyolefin-coated fertilizer （POCF） （LongT0 with a N：P2Os：K2O ratio of 14：12：14） applied 23 d after transplanting was investigated using rooting boxes in the greenhouse. The results at 26 and 40 d after stick fertilizer treatment showed that the use of the stick fertilizer greatly increased the production of many new fine roots from the tomato plants. Compared to the unfertilized control, root length and root length density in the stick fertilizer treatment increased by 3.6-6.7 fold. In the soil zones near the stick fertilizer, root weight and root mass density were also significantly higher for the stick fertilizer treatment. Additionally, the use of the stick fertilizer increased the N, P and K concentrations in the leaves and stems of the tomato plants. The new fine roots growing near the stick fertilizer not only absorbed more nutrients and translocated them to the shoots, but also contained more nutrients within themselves. The soil ammonium and nitrate N data showed that N released from the stick fertilizer played a major role in inducing the production of new fine roots. These results indicated that stick fertilizer could be used as an alternative to the co-situs application technique to change and control the root distribution of crops as well as to increase the potential capacity of roots for water and nutrient absorption.