ABSTRACT
Tomato plants are considered as moderately sensitive to salt stress with a maximum soil electrical conductivity level of 2.5 dS m-1 without a significant yield loss. The number of trusses per plant and the number of flowers per truss were influenced by salinity depending on temperature, tomato cultivar, the severity of salinity, and duration of salinization. The sensitivity of tomato plants cultivated in a greenhouse is lower than in the open field due to a higher atmospheric humidity under controlled environment and protected cultivation. Silicon alleviated the harmful effects of salinity on tomato seed germination in terms of germination percentage, germination rate, and mean germination time. The improvement of salinity tolerance or resistance of tomatoes via breeding programs has been limited due to its genetic and physiological complexity. The use of mycorrhiza inoculations and plant growth promoting bacteria are a safe and eco-friendly choice for mitigation of salt stress in tomatoes.
