Assessment of cytotoxic ions sequestration as salt tolerant indicators in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

This study determines the genetic diversity of 20landraces and released cultivars of tomato collected from Market places and research institutes in Nigeria. Ion homeostasis and cytotoxic sequestration significantly (P>0.05) affected by concentration of salt in a concentration dependent manner. Accumulation of Na+, Cl-, K+ and Ca2+ ions increased in salt treated groups (30 and 60 mg/L of NaCl) as compared to controls. Potassium ion uptake was salt concentration dependent in all cultivars; the magnitude of Na+/K+ levels is lower in released cultivars than in landraces cultivars. It can be concluded from these findings that Na+ was compartmentalized both in tomato by membrane transporters and that low level was a good indicator of salt tolerant in tomato genotype studied.