Abstract: In order to explore the suitable nutrient solution concentration for the growth of tomato, the tomato cultivar ‘Tianshuo308’ cultivated in buckets with perlite substrate was selected as an experimental crop throughout the growth stage. Hoagland nutrient solution at different concentrations (S1: 1/4S, S2: 2/4S, S3:3/4S, and S4: 4/4S; S represents the standard solution concentration) was used in this experiment to explore their effect on plant growth, postharvest fruit quality and storability. Results showed that the growth of tomato plants matched the Logistic curve over time, and the maximum plant height (124.367 cm) and the longest fast-growing period were achieved at S3 concentration. The chlorophyll content showed a single-peak curve at different growth stages, with the appearance of a peak at the blossom and fruit set stages. The contents of proline and malonaldehyde presented initial decrease and subsequent increase with the increase of nutrient solution concentration. In addition, the nutritional quality (total soluble sugar, lycopene, and VC content) of fruit first increased and then decreased. The total soluble sugar, lycopene, and VC content in tomato subjected to S3 treatment increased by 40.51%, 38.70% and 12.72%, respectively, when compared with S1 treatment. For all treatments, the contents of lycopene, soluble sugars, vitamin C and malondialdehyde increased first and then decreased during storage. In summary pre-harvest treatment with suitable nutrient solution concentration could inhibit the decrease in fruit hardness; after 16-day storage, the hardness of fruits in four treatment groups followed the decreasing order of S3 (3.593 kg/cm2) > S4 (2.843 kg/cm2) > S2 (2.740 kg/cm2) > S1 (2.300 kg/cm2). In conclusion, Hoagland nutrient solution at 3/4S concentration was found to be optimal for the growth of tomato, thereby improving fruit quality and the prolonging storage life.

Key words: nutrient solution, greenhouse tomato, substrate, quality, storability