Effect of Abscisic Acid on Soluble Sugar Contents in Tomato Fruits under Condition of Short-Term Night Sub-Low Temperature1

Aims: This research explored the effect of ABA treatment before short-term night sub-low temperature on the sugar composition and contents, and provided theoretical basis for temperature management in tomato protected cultivation.

Study Design: The whole tomato was treated by spraying with 50mmol/L and 100mmol/L ABA respectively before short-tern night sub-low temperature. Spraying distilled water was as the control. The lower temperature treatment was as the lower temperature control group.

Place and Duration of Study: Biological Science and Technology College, between February 2013 and March 2014.

Methodology: The sugar composition and contents were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Results: The pectinic tissues, pericarp and dissepiments after sub-low temperature treatment had high contents of three soluble sugars at the early fruit development stage. The fructose and glucose contents were reduced by the 50mmol/L ABA treatment under condition of lower temperature. At the fruit mature stage, contents of three soluble sugars in the pericarp and dissepiments after sub-low temperature treatment had less than those in control group and had higher accumulation than the other two groups by 50mmol/L ABA treatment, but the soluble sugars contents were reduced by ABA treatment in the pectinic tissues.

Conclusion: 50mmol/L ABA was the optimum concentration on improving the ability of resisting sub-low temperature in tomato fruits at the early development stage, improving the tomato fruit quality at the fruit mature stage, promoting transfer of soluble sugars to structure matter or storage matter. However, the effects of ABA on sugar accumulation were different in the pectinic tissues or pericarp and dissepiments.