ISSR variations in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and related Solanum species

Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analysis was performed in eight cultivars of eggplant (Solanum melongena) and 12 accessions in eight related Solanum species to evaluate the applicability of this analysis for assessing the phylogenetic relationships and identifying cultivars. A total of 552 polymorphic amplified bands were obtained from 34 of the 100 primers tested, and the percentage of polymorphisms was 99.1%. Cluster analysis based on the ISSR markers classified the Solanum species into seven groups: (i) S. melongena; (ii) S. aethiopicum and S. anguivi; (iii) S. incanum; (iv) S. violaceum and S. kurzii; (v) S. macrocarpon; (vi) S. virginianum and (vii) S. torvum. Combining the ISSR markers obtained by a few of the 34 primers was enough for distinguishing of the eight cultivars of eggplant. This ISSR analysis was demonstrated to be available for the phylogenetic study and the cultivar identification.     

Assessment of genetic diversity and species relationships in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) using STMS markers

Ninety six accessions including 92 of Solanum melongena and four related non-tuberous species (Solanum insanum, S. incanum, S. integrifolium and S. sysimbriifolium) were taken for the assessment of genetic diversity using 23 STMS primers. Eleven of the 23 primers tested showed polymorphism. The number of alleles per primer ranged from three to six with an average of 4.4. S. melongena had maximum average similarity with its closely related species, S. insanum (0.67) and minimum average similarity with the wild species, S. sysimbriifolium (0.50). The two weedy species S. incanum and S. integrifolium showed more average similarity value of 0.62 and 0.61, respectively with the cultivated S. melongena. S. insanum. S. incanum and S. integrifolium were relatively similar to each other with similarity index value of 0.61 (between S. insanum and S. incanum), 0.63 (between S. insanum and S. integrifolium) and 0.62 (between S. incanum and S. integrifolium). In contrast S. sysimbriifolium was most divergent with the similarity value of 0.49, 0.47 and 0.51 with S. insanum, S. incanum and S. integrifolium, respectively. The closely related species S. insanum and S. incanum, which clustered along with S. melongena accessions, being crossable with cultivated species, constitute important sources of genes that can be introgressed by backcross breeding. Molecular markers can be employed to identify the hybrids and also to monitor introgression of the useful genes.     

Fruit yield and water use efficiency of eggplant (Solanum melongema L.) as influenced by different quantities of nitrogen and water applied through drip and furrow irrigation

Elucidation of the effects of different quantities of nitrogen (N) and water applied through drip and furrow irrigation on fruit yield and water use efficiency (WUE) in eggplant is essential for formulating proper management practices for sustainable production. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the independent and interactive effects of four levels of N and different quantities of water applied through drip as well as furrow irrigation on eggplant fruit yield, agronomic efficiency of N and WUE. In the present field investigation, ridge planting with each furrow and alternate furrow irrigation were compared with drip irrigation at three levels of water: 100%, 75% and 50% of each furrow irrigation (designated as D_1.0, D_0.75 and D_0.5). The four levels of N studied were 90, 120, 150 and 180 kg N ha⁻¹ (designated as N₉₀, N₁₂₀, N₁₅₀ and N₁₈₀). The eggplant hybrid BH-1 was transplanted on August 5, 2004 at the spacing of 60 cm × 45 cm.     

Nitric oxide alleviates adverse salt-induced effects by improving the photosynthetic performance and increasing the anti-oxidant capacity of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Summary

Nitric oxide (NO) is an active molecule involved in many physiological functions in plants. To characterise the roles of NO in the tolerance of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) to salt stress, the protective effects of exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a donor of NO, applied at different concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2 mM), on plant biomass, photosynthesis, and anti-oxidant capacity were evaluated. The application of SNP alleviated the suppression of growth in eggplant under salt stress, as reflected by a higher accumulation of biomass. In parallel with growth, the application of SNP to salt-stressed plants resulted in enhanced photosynthetic parameters such as the net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), transpiration rate (T_r), and intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), as well as an increased quantum efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m), efficiency of excitation capture of open PSII centres (F_v’/F_m’), quantum yield of PSII ( _psii) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP). Furthermore, exogenous SNP also reduced significantly the rate of production of O₂^{? –} radicals and the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂. It also increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in eggplant leaves grown under salt stress. The results indicated that the protective effects of NO against salt stress in eggplant seedlings were most likely mediated through improvements in photosynthetic performance and the stimulation of anti-oxidant capacity.     

Chlorocholine chloride application effects on photosynthetic capacity and photoassimilates partitioning in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Treatment of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) with chlorocholine chloride (CCC) applied twice as a foliar spray 25 and 30 days after planting has shown to decrease shoot and stolon growth but increase tuber yield. However, the regulatory role of CCC on translocation of recently fixed photoassimilates into different parts of potato plants has not been fully illustrated. In this study, ¹⁴C-isotope labelling technique was used to estimate the photosynthetic capacity and photoassimilate partitioning among leaves, stems, roots + stolons, and tubers of potted potatoes treated with 1.5 g l⁻¹ CCC. CCC treatment significantly increased tuber dry mass but reduced leaf dry mass. CCC-treated leaves had significantly higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and assimilated 22.0% more ¹⁴CO₂ per leaf dry mass than the controls. Compared with the control, CCC treatment reduced the translocation of ¹⁴C-photoassimilates into leaves, stems and roots + stolons but increased that into tubers. CCC-treated leaves exported 14.6% more ¹⁴C-photoassimilates into other parts of the plants. In addition, CCC treatment reduced ¹⁴C-soluble sugar and ¹⁴C-starch accumulation in leaves and stems but enhanced them in tubers and roots + stolons. Collectively, the results indicate that CCC treatment significantly improves the photosynthetic capacity of potato leaves and promotes photoassimilates partitioning into tubers thereby enhancing tuber growth.     

Seasonal changes of mineral nutrients and phenolics in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit

Pomegranate fruit is an important source of potentially healthy bioactive compounds and mineral nutrients. Changes in total phenolic compound, concentrations, and levels of macronutrients (P, K, N, Mg, Ca and Na) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and B) in arils and peel of pomegranate fruit were recorded from 10 days after full bloom until harvest. Total phenolics levels increased at early stage of growth both in peel and arils of fruit, but thereafter generally decreased during maturation and reached to 3.70 and 50.22 mg g⁻¹ of dry weight in arils and peel, respectively, at harvest. The amount of total phenolics in peel was markedly higher than arils of pomegranate fruit. The concentration of most elements in arils and peel decreased during fruit growth and development. At harvest the relative order of concentration of macronutrients both in arils and peel was K > N > Ca > P > Mg > Na. The concentration of most micronutrients was greater in the arils than in the peel especially in early season. The relative order of concentration of micronutrients in arils was B > Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn. The accumulation of all the macro- and microelement within the fruit also increased during fruit growth and development. These results provide important data on total phenolics and macro- and micronutrient changes during fruit growth and development, emphasizing that pomegranate fruit can be a good source of bioactive compounds and minerals.     

Role of 24-epibrassinolide in mitigating the adverse effects of salt stress on stomatal conductance,membrane permeability,and leaf water content,ionic composition in salt stressed strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)

In order to study the effect of brassinosteroids on the amelioration of the inhibitory effect of salinity on strawberry plants, a short-term experiment was conducted in greenhouse to test different concentrations of 24-epibrassinolide (24-EBL) (0.0, 0.5, and 1 μM) by foliar application on some agro-physiological properties, such as shoot dry weight, and root dry weight, stomatal conductance (SC), leaf relative water content (LRWC), leaf chlorophyll reading values (LCRV) and membrane permeability (MP) of strawberry ‘Fern’ and ‘A6’ cultivars irrigated with salt water (35 mM NaCl). 24-EBL solutions were applied twice during late afternoon hours with 7 d intervals using a hand-held sprayer. Plant shoot dry weight, root dry weight, SC, LRWC and LCRV were reduced by 29–33%, 45–15%, 71–55%, 11–13%, and 12–13% for ‘A6’ and ‘Fern’ cultivars at 35 mM (without 24-EBL applied), respectively, as compared to the nonsaline treatment, but MP increased 40% and 12%. An exogenous supply of 24-EBL was found to be successful in alleviating of the inhibitory effects of salt stress on plant growth parameters and nutrient contents. 24-EBL (1 μM) application under saline condition significantly increased shoot and root dry matter, SC, LRWC and LCRV of plants, and alleviation effects of 1 μM 24-EBL application was 20%, 15%, 122%, 5.8%, and 10.9% for ‘A6’ and 47%, 8.0%, 83%, 33.3% and 6.0% for ‘Fern’ cultivars, respectively. Macro-micro element content of plant leaf and root increased with increase 24-EBL except for Na under salinity stress. These results support the view that supplementary 24-EBL application can overcome the effects of salinity stress on plant growth and growth parameter under saline conditions.     

Analysis of genetic variation in eggplant and related Solanum species using sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers

Collection and characterization of all sorts of germplasm resources are required for the development of new cultivars. Molecular characterization is more reliable than morphological characterization. Here, we employed sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers to evaluate genetic variation in a diverse collection of 56 Solanum accessions. Fifty-five SRAP primer combinations were used and a total of 635 polymorphic bands were observed. Cluster analysis by the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages based on similarity matrices indicated that there were three clusters: (i) S. melongena; (ii) S. aethiopicum; (iii) S. surattense. The coefficients of genetic similarity among all the accessions ranged from 0.04 to 0.96 with an average of 0.73, and averaged 0.78 among S. melongena accessions originated from China, indicating extensive genetic variation. These results demonstrated that SRAP can be efficiently used to estimate genetic diversity and analyze phylogenetic relationship.     

Effects of cultural cycles and nutrient solutions on plant growth,yield and fruit quality of alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) grown in hydroponics

Alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) was grown in hydroponics with the nutrient film technique, in order to evaluate the effects of four buffer concentrations (1.3, 1.6, 1.9, 2.2 mS cm⁻¹) and two cultural cycles (summer-spring versus autumn-spring) in terms of growth, yield and fruit quality (dry and optical residues, sugars, acids, antioxidants, mineral composition). The longer summer-spring cycle gave a correspondingly higher yield than the autumn-spring one. The 1.3 mS cm⁻¹ nutrient solution was the most effective in terms of overall and spring production. However, the autumn and winter yields were not affected by the buffer EC. Fruit quality did not change with the cultural cycle, but the berries harvested in the spring had higher vitamin C and sucrose content and lower nitrate content compared with berries picked up in the winter. Fruit quality was also improved when the nutrient solution concentration increased. From the productive point of view, the cultural cycle choice should be made considering that 71% of the yield of the more productive summer-spring cycle derived from the spring harvest. Moreover, as regards the nutrient solution strength, 1.3 mS cm⁻¹ EC should be preferred during the spring season, whereas the 2.2 mS cm⁻¹ EC proved to be best in the winter in terms of fruit quality.     

Water relations of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) as affected by phenological stages and water regimes

Pistachio is a drought tolerant fruit tree that can be cultivated in rainfed and irrigated conditions. The water requirements of the tree, however, are considerable so in most of the commercial orchards deficit irrigation is a common practice. Regulated deficit irrigation in pistachio trees has been described in several works, which reported that the phenological stage of shell hardening, so called stage II, is the most drought tolerant. This paper proposes that such drought resistance is related to changes in water relations linked to the phenological stages, even in conditions of no water stress. In order to evaluate such changes, the daily pattern of stem water potential and gas exchange (net photosynthesis, P_n, and leaf conductance, g_s) was measured, determining also the pressure–volume curves, in three different phenological stages of mature pistachio trees (Pistacia vera cv Kerman on P. terebinthus L. rootstock.). The daily pattern of stem water potential and gas exchange were performed in three different irrigation treatments: control, regulated deficit irrigation and rainfed. The pressure–volume curves were made only in the control and rainfed treatments. Significant differences were found in the daily pattern of stem water potential in all the phenological stages considered, while only in the last one the net photosynthesis was affected by water stress. The daily pattern of gas exchange at the beginning of the season was not affected by the evaporative demand, with a constant value when radiation was not limiting. Moderate levels of water stress during the last measurement date reduced the maximum values of g_s and P_n resulting also in a clear change in the pattern of the daily curve, with maximum values only at the beginning of the day. The relationships between stem water potential and gas exchange parameters were different during stage II and almost the same in stages I and III. The parameters drawn from the pressure–volume curves also indicated a change in the elastic modulus of the leaf cells in stage II. In addition, differences in the osmotic adjustment (OA) index suggested different degree of osmotic adjustment of the phenological stages in the response to water stress. The results showed that different mechanisms of drought resistance are operating in the different phenological stages in pistachio trees.     

Foliar application of chlorocholine chloride improves leaf mineral nutrition,antioxidant enzyme activity,and tuber yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

In southern China, potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are grown in the late season and the crops are often subjected to low temperature stress particularly during the tuber bulking stage. Exogenous chlorocholine chloride (CCC) treatment has been found to improve crop performance under suboptimal growth conditions; however, the physiological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects have not been fully understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of CCC treatment on mineral nutrition, antioxidant enzyme system, and tuber yield of potato (cv. Zhongshu 3) under field conditions. The plants were foliar sprayed twice with 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 g l⁻¹ CCC at 24 and 28 days after emergence (DAE), respectively; and plants without CCC treatment were serviced as control. Leaf samples were collected on 56 DAE for determination of mineral nutrition contents and antioxidant enzyme activity. Results showed that 1.5 and 2.0 g l⁻¹ CCC treatments significantly increased the contents of P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in potato leaves. These treatments also increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidases (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities in the leaves. A positive linear relationship was found between SOD activity and the content of Fe + Mn + Zn + Cu. Tuber yield was significantly increased by CCC treatment. It is concluded that treatment with certain concentration of CCC (e.g. 1.5–2.0 g l⁻¹) improves mineral nutrition and SOD, POD and CAT activities in potato leaves; which might have contributed to the higher tuber yield of the crop grown under suboptimal conditions.     

Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of high-lycopene tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivars grown in Southern Italy

In this study, the antioxidant components and of six high-lycopene (Lyco 1, Lyco 2, HLY 02, HLY 13, HLY 18 and Kalvert) and one ordinary (Donald) tomato cultivars (cvs) grown simultaneously in an open-field of the Southern Italy were investigated. Lycopene, β-carotene, lutein, total phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid (AsA), dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and total vitamin C (AsA + DHA) contents, as well as hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities (HAA and LAA) were determined. Significant differences were detected among tomato cvs in all studied antioxidant components, as well as in the antioxidant activity of their hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions. High-lycopene tomato cvs showed higher lycopene, β-carotene, HAA and LAA when compared to cv Donald. Cv HLY 18 showed the highest lycopene and β-carotene content with 232.9 mg/kg fresh weight (fw) and 19.4 mg/kg fw, respectively. Except for Kalvert, high-lycopene tomato cvs also obtained higher total vitamin C levels, with cv HLY 13 top ranking with an average of 352.8 mg/kg fw. LAA ranged from 133.5 μM Trolox/100 g fw in cv Donald to 540.1 μM Trolox/100 g fw in cv Lyco 2 and was significantly correlated to lycopene (r = 0.53; p < 0.01) and β-carotene (r = 0.56; p < 0.01) contents. A variation between 2.7- and 4.0-fold was found in LAA of high-lycopene tomato cvs compared to Donald. HAA was significantly correlated to the amount of DHA (r = 0.61; p < 0.01) and total vitamin C (r = 0.60; p < 0.01). Although these data require confirmation over a longer period of time, this investigation suggests a promising use of the high-lycopene tomato cvs for the production of tomatoes with higher nutritional quality.     

Translocation of heavy metals to tomato (Solanum lycopersicom L.) fruit irrigated with treated wastewater

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the extent of translocation of heavy metals to tomato (Solanum lycopersicom L. cvs. “GS₁₂” and “RS₅₈₉₉₅₆”) fruit produced in an open field near to Abu-Nusiar Wastewater Treatment Plant, Amman-Jordan. Seedlings were planted during the seasons of 1999 and 2000 and furrow irrigated with different mixtures of potable water to treated wastewater {100%:0% (1:0, control); 25%:75% (1:3); 50%:50% (1:1); 0%:100% (0:1)}. Tomato fruit, soil and water were examine for heavy metals concentrations, and changes in the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil were tested. The obtained results revealed an increase in the concentrations of Cu, Mn and Fe, in the soil correlated with high concentrations found in the wastewater. Additionally, an increase in the pH and EC in the soil was observed with increasing the proportions of wastewater. Results of tomato fruit analysis showed an increased concentration of Fe, Cu, Ni, Mn and Zn in the cultivar “RS₅₈₉₉₅₆”, whereas, an increased concentration of Mn and Zn were detected in the cultivar “GS₁₂”, but no accumulation of Cd and Pb in both cultivars. The accumulation of heavy metals in fruit was below the Jordanian standard limits, thus, the use of treated wastewater in irrigation might be feasible.     

Impact of iron stress on biomass,yield, metabolism and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

In order to study the influence of variable iron on biomass, economic yield and role of iron in potato (Solanum tuberosum) cv. Chandramukhi metabolism, plants were grown in refined sand at variable iron ranging from 0.001 to 2.0 mM. Exposure of potato plants to Fe stress (i.e. a Fe concentration different from 0.1 mM) shows retarded growth, decreased chlorophyll concentration and Hill reaction activity, induced changes in enzyme activities and concentration of Fe and Mn. The visible symptoms of iron deficiency appeared on day 15 at 0.001 mM Fe as chlorosis of young leaves. The excess of iron (at >0.1 mM Fe) appeared later, after 25 days and the chlorosis was observed on older leaves. Both deficiency (0.001 mM) and excess (>0.1 mM) of iron reduced the tuber yield, deteriorating its quality by lowering the concentration of sugars, starch and protein nitrogen and increasing the accumulation of non-protein nitrogen and phenols in tubers.     

The insertion of the Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolC gene in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) affects plant architecture and endogenous auxin and abscisic acid levels

In the present paper we report on the effects of the insertion of the Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolC gene in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., formerly Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivar Tondino. Several transgenic lines were successfully obtained, between which two clones, rolC1 and rolC3, were chosen for the analysis of morpho-productive traits as well as of the endogenous levels of auxin and abscisic acid. Consistent with the known phenotypic effect of this gene, the transformed tomato plants were significantly shorter than the corresponding controls. On the other hand, even if yield was not affected by the transformation in terms of average number of fruits produced, fruit weight was significantly lower in the transgenics with respect to the controls. Therefore, insertion of the rolC gene does not lead to an improvement in plant productivity.     

A strain of Bacillus subtilis stimulates sunflower growth (Helianthus annuus L.) temporarily

Preliminary studies showed that a Bacillus subtilis strain stimulates plant growth. We investigated how inoculating seeds of a sunflower cultivar (Helianthus annuus L.) with this strain stimulated plant growth, soil properties and emissions of greenhouse gasses, i.e. carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), when cultivated in a greenhouse. Unfertilized sunflowers or fertilized with urea served as controls. After one month, root length and fresh and dry root weight of the sunflower was significantly higher in the bacteria amended plant than in the urea and unfertilized plants. However, at harvest, no positive effect was observed. The number of seeds per plant and seed weight was not significantly different between the treatments, but total plant N was significantly higher in urea-amended plants than in unfertilized plants. The CO₂ production rate was not affected by treatment, but the N₂O emission rate was significantly higher in soil amended with urea plus bacteria soil compared to the unfertilized treatments. It was found that the B. subtilis strain used in this study had a positive, but only temporarily effect on growth of the sunflower cultivar used.     

The risks of success in quality vegetable markets: Possible genetic erosion in Marmande tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and consumer dissatisfaction

Following consumer complaints about the quality of modern varieties of tomato, landraces have strengthened their quality markets. In Spain, two tomato landraces, ‘Montserrat’ and ‘Pera Girona’, are grown in contiguous areas and have different market niches. We used amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) to characterize 13 accessions of Montserrat, 14 accessions of Pera Girona, and 4 control varieties. We found a narrow genetic base for ‘Montserrat’ and ‘Pera Girona’ (8.5% of polymorphic loci) and no differences between the landraces. We studied agronomical and sensory traits to determine why the two landraces continue to have separate market niches. We found high variability among accessions within each landrace and overlapping among accessions of both landraces for all traits except fruit morphology. Consumers probably came to associate the organoleptic quality of these landraces with their external traits, but due to spontaneous crossings and introgressions these relations have been lost. Selection within landraces will be necessary to reestablish the link between morphology and sensory value and to consolidate these quality markets.     

Effects of greenhouse cooling method on growth,fruit yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a tropical climate

A tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop was grown in four greenhouses during the dry season 2005/06 in Central Thailand. Sidewalls and roof vents of two greenhouses were covered with nets and these greenhouses were mechanically ventilated when air temperature exceeded 30 °C (NET). The other two greenhouses were covered with polyethylene film and equipped with a fan and pad cooling system (EVAP). Overall mean air temperature was significantly reduced by 2.6 and 3.2 °C (day) and 1.2 and 2.3 °C (night) in EVAP as compared to NET and outside air, respectively. Temperature maxima in EVAP averaged about 4 °C lower than in NET and outside. The relative humidity was around 20 and 30% (day) and 10 and 15% (night) higher in EVAP than in NET or outside, respectively. Vapour pressure deficit averaged 0.25 kPa in EVAP, 1.03 kPa in NET and 1.48 kPa outside. The crop water-consumption was significantly lower in EVAP (1.2) than in NET (1.8 L plant⁻¹ day⁻¹), which is ascribed to reduced transpiration in EVAP. Total fruit yield was similar in NET (6.4 kg plant⁻¹) and EVAP (6.3 kg plant⁻¹). The quantity of undersized (mostly parthenocarpic) and blossom-end rot (BER)-affected fruits was reduced in EVAP. However, the proportion of marketable yield was significantly higher in NET (4.5 kg plant⁻¹) than in EVAP (3.8 kg plant⁻¹), owing largely to an increased incidence of fruit cracking (FC) in EVAP. Higher FC but lower BER incidence coincided with higher fresh weight and Ca concentration in the fruits in EVAP. It is concluded that in regions with high atmospheric relative humidity evaporative cooling without technical modifications allowing dehumidification will not improve protected tomato production.     

Influence of no-tillage and organic mulching on tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) production and nitrogen use in the mediterranean environment of central Italy

In conservation tillage systems based on legume mulches it is important to optimize N management strategies. The present study evaluated the effect of some winter legume cover crops converted into mulches on the following no-tillage tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) yield, tomato nitrogen uptake, tomato use efficiency (NUE), soil nitrate and the apparent N remaining in the soil (ARNS) in a Mediterranean environment. Field experiments were carried out from 2002 to 2004 in a tomato crop transplanted into: four different types of mulches coming from winter cover crops [hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), subclover (Trifolium subterranem L.), snail medic (Medicago scutellata L. Miller), and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.)]; a conventional tilled soil (CT); and a no-tilled bare soil (NT). All treatments were fertilized with three different levels of nitrogen (N) fertilizer (0, 75, and 150 kg N ha⁻¹). Cover crop above-ground biomass at cover crop suppression ranged from 4.0 to 6.7 t ha⁻¹ of DM and accumulated from 54 to 189 kg N ha⁻¹, hairy vetch showed the highest values followed by subclover, snail medic and ryegrass. The marketable tomato yield was higher in no-tilled legume mulched soil compared to no-tilled ryegrass mulched soil, CT, and NT (on average 84.8 vs 68.7 t ha⁻¹ of FM, respectively) and it tended to rise with the increase of the N fertilization level. A similar trend was observed on tomato N uptake. Hairy vetch mulch released the highest amount of N during tomato cultivation followed by subclover, snail medic, and ryegrass (on average 141, 96, 90 and 33 kg N ha⁻¹). The tomato NUE tended to decrease with the increase of the N fertilization rates, it ranged from 39 to 60% in no-tilled legume mulched soil and from −59 to 30% in no-tilled ryegrass mulched soil when compared to the CT. The soil NO₃-N content and the ARNS was always higher in the soil mulched with legumes compared to the soil mulched with ryegrass and in NT and CT. This study shows that direct transplanting into mulches coming from winter legume cover crops could be useful for improving the yield and the N-uptake in a no-tillage tomato crop. Furthermore, considering the high N content in the upper soil layer and the remaining N content in the organic mulch residues after tomato harvesting, there is a large amount of N potentially available which could be immediately used by an autumn–winter cash crop.