Abstract:
The tomato is one of the most important species in the food sector. For farmers, the increase
in yield in greenhouse conditions by keeping a high quality of fruits represents a goal which is very
difficult to achieve in these conditions. Therefore, the present study evaluates the influence that a
continuous electric current might have on some biometrical, physiological and quality parameters of
tomato fruits. The study was carried out in a greenhouse where tomato plants belonging to Qualitet
F1 hybrid were treated with different continuous electric currents, under 5 DC sources, stabilized
by the laboratory 0–30 V/0–5 A. During the research, the tomato plants were exposed to different
electric current intensities or voltages on the plants or in the soil (T1-0.15 A; T2-0.30 A; T3-0.45 A;
T4-1.5 V; T5-1.5 V-soil). The tomato plant samples were compared with an untreated control. In
order to determine the influence of a continuous electric current, observations and determinations
were made on tomato plants and fruits. The results highlighted significant differences between the
treated and not treated plants, regarding the plant height, yield, firmness, acidity, total soluble solids,
antioxidant activity, crude and dietary fibres, tannins, oxalates, saponins, -amylase inhibitors, K, Mg,
Fe and Zn content. Depending on the intensity of the electric current and the manner of application,
the biometrical, physiological and quality parameters of tomato fruits were differently influenced.
Both positive and negative influences were registered. More experiments are needed in order to
establish a relation between the electric current intensity and the manner of application which can
lead to better and higher tomato yields and quality in greenhouse conditions.
