Effects of regulated deficit irrigation on antioxidant system and the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in processing tomato under mulch drip irrigation
- 1Agricultural College, Key Laboratory of Special Fruits and Vegetables Cultivation Physiology and Germplasm Resources Utilization of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi University
- 2Hubei Nonggu Seed Co., Ltd
- 3College of Horticulture Science, State Key Laboratory for Development and Utilization of Forest Food Resources, Zhejiang A&F University
Abstract
Water scarcity is a major constraint on agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in Xinjiang, China, where processing tomato is an economically important yet water-sensitive crop. This study evaluated the physiological and biochemical responses of processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. ‘Heinz 1015’) to regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and subsequent rewatering under field conditions. Five irrigation regimes were applied, including a conventional irrigation control (CK) and four deficit irrigation treatments (W1–W4). Drought stress significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 accumulation, indicating enhanced oxidative damage. For example, during the flowering stage, MDA and H2O2 contents in the most severe treatment (W4) were 12.46 and 11.98 µmol·g−1 FW higher than those in the control, respectively. Proline, soluble sugars, and soluble proteins increased markedly, while antioxidant defenses were activated, as reflected by higher POD, CAT, APX, GR, DHAR, and MDHAR activities. SOD activity increased under mild and moderate stress but declined under severe drought. Changes in GSH, GSSG, and the GSH/GSSG ratio further demonstrated active redox regulation. Rewatering alleviated drought-induced physiological disturbances, although recovery depended on stress severity. The mild deficit treatment (W1) exhibited the strongest compensatory response, with most physiological parameters recovering to levels comparable to the control. These findings indicate that mild deficit irrigation can enhance drought adaptation while maintaining physiological stability, providing a promising strategy for water-saving tomato production in arid regions.
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BibTeX
@article{shi2026effects,
title = {{Effects of regulated deficit irrigation on antioxidant system and the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in processing tomato under mulch drip irrigation}},
author = {Yunyan Shi and Jing Xu and Huiying Liu and Zhaoyuan Wang and Longwei Liang and Qi Liu and Wenchao Shi and Ran Liu and Tao Ji and Ming Diao},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-62895-4},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62895-4},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of regulated deficit irrigation on antioxidant system and the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in processing tomato under mulch drip irrigation
AU - Yunyan Shi
AU - Jing Xu
AU - Huiying Liu
AU - Zhaoyuan Wang
AU - Longwei Liang
AU - Qi Liu
AU - Wenchao Shi
AU - Ran Liu
AU - Tao Ji
AU - Ming Diao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-62895-4
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62895-4
AB - Water scarcity is a major constraint on agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in Xinjiang, China, where processing tomato is an economically important yet water-sensitive crop. This study evaluated the physiological and biochemical responses of processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. ‘Heinz 1015’) to regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and subsequent rewatering under field conditions. Five irrigation regimes were applied, including a conventional irrigation control (CK) and four deficit irrigation treatments (W1–W4). Drought stress significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 accumulation, indicating enhanced oxidative damage. For example, during the flowering stage, MDA and H2O2 contents in the most severe treatment (W4) were 12.46 and 11.98 µmol·g−1 FW higher than those in the control, respectively. Proline, soluble sugars, and soluble proteins increased markedly, while antioxidant defenses were activated, as reflected by higher POD, CAT, APX, GR, DHAR, and MDHAR activities. SOD activity increased under mild and moderate stress but declined under severe drought. Changes in GSH, GSSG, and the GSH/GSSG ratio further demonstrated active redox regulation. Rewatering alleviated drought-induced physiological disturbances, although recovery depended on stress severity. The mild deficit treatment (W1) exhibited the strongest compensatory response, with most physiological parameters recovering to levels comparable to the control. These findings indicate that mild deficit irrigation can enhance drought adaptation while maintaining physiological stability, providing a promising strategy for water-saving tomato production in arid regions.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -