INFLUENCE OF INTEGRATED MOISTURE STRESS ACHIEVED BY VARYING THE OSMOTIC PRESSURE OF CULTURE SOLUTIONS ON GROWTH OF TOMATO AND PEPPER PLANTS

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Abstract
The influence of varied moisture-stress regimes having the same mean integrated stress on the growth of pepper and tomato plants was studied by means of water cultures adjusted to various osmotic pressures by the addition of NaCl. In the range up to 12 atm., growth of peppers was found to depend upon the mean integrated stress regardless of stress distribution, but tomato plants showed a greater inhibition of growth when stresses in excess of 5 atm. contributed to the mean integrated stress than when the stress was 5 atm. or less at all times. However, tomato was more tolerant of stress in the range up to 4 atm. than pepper. The implications of these findings with respect to salt tolerance, drought resistance, and irrigation practices are discussed. Data on the mineral composition of tomato and pepper leaves confirm conclusions based on visual observations that moisture stress and not specific toxicity of sodium or chloride was responsible for diminished growth.