Carotenoids are essential components of the photosynthetic antenna and reaction center complexes, being also responsible for antioxidant defense, coloration, and many other functions in multiple plant tissues. In tomato, salinity negatively affects the development of vegetative organs and productivity, but according to previous studies it might also increase fruit color and taste, improving its quality, which is a current agricultural challenge. The fruit quality parameters that are increased by salinity are cultivar-specific and include carotenoid, sugar, and organic acid contents. However, the relationship between vegetative and reproductive organs and response to salinity is still poorly understood. Considering this, Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom plants were grown in the absence of salt supplementation as well as with increasing concentrations of NaCl for 14 weeks, evaluating plant performance from vegetative to reproductive stages. In response to salinity, plants showed a significant reduction in net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, PSII quantum yield, and electron transport rate, in addition to an increase in non-photochemical quenching. In line with these responses the number of tomato clusters decreased, and smaller fruits with higher soluble solids content were obtained. Mature-green fruits also displayed a salt-dependent higher induction in the expression of PSY1, PDS, ZDS, and LYCB, key genes of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, in correlation with increased lycopene, lutein, β-carotene, and violaxanthin levels. These results suggest a key relationship between photosynthetic plant response and yield, involving impaired photosynthetic capacity, increased carotenoid-related gene expression, and carotenoid biosynthesis.

中文翻译：

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盐度会损害番茄的光合作用能力并增强类胡萝卜素相关基因的表达和生物合成（Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Micro-Tom）

类胡萝卜素是光合触角和反应中心复合物的重要组成部分，还负责多种植物组织中的抗氧化防御、着色和许多其他功能。在番茄中，盐分会对营养器官的发育和生产力产生负面影响，但根据之前的研究，它也可能会增加果实的颜色和味道，提高其质量，这是当前的农业挑战。因盐度增加而增加的果实质量参数具有品种特异性，包括类胡萝卜素、糖和有机酸含量。然而，营养器官和生殖器官与对盐分的反应之间的关系仍然知之甚少。考虑到这一点，Solanum lycopersicum cv。Micro-Tom 植物在不补充盐和增加 NaCl 浓度的情况下生长 14 周，评估植物从营养阶段到生殖阶段的性能。为响应盐度，植物的净光合作用、气孔导度、PSII 量子产率和电子传输速率显着降低，此外非光化学猝灭增加。与这些反应一致的是，番茄簇的数量减少了，并且获得了具有更高可溶性固形物含量的较小果实。成熟的绿色水果在 PSY1、PDS、ZDS 和 LYCB（类胡萝卜素生物合成途径的关键基因）的表达中也显示出更高的盐依赖性诱导，这与番茄红素、叶黄素、β-胡萝卜素和紫黄质水平的增加有关。