Influence of thigmic stress or chlormequat chloride on tomato morphology and elemental uptake

Root dry weight and leaf number were not affected by thigmic stress or chlormequat chloride. Shoot dry weight, shoot:root dry weight ratio, shoot height, leaf area, and root surface area were decreased by both thigmic stress and chlormequat chloride. However, root length was decreased and root radius increased only by chlormequat chloride. Total element uptake was decreased by both thigmic stress and chlormequat chloride. In the shoot and root, N was not affected, P was increased in the shoots, K decreased in the shoots but increased in the roots, and Mg decreased in the roots as a result of thigmic stress and chlormequat chloride. Whereas, Ca was decreased in the roots and Mg increased in the shoots by chlormequat chloride. The uptake of N, P, Ca, or Mg was not affected by thigmic stress or chlormequat chloride, however, K uptake per root surface area decreased. Thigmic stress decreased K in both the upper and lower stem but did not affect leaf concentration of K. However, chlormequat chloride decreased K in both the stem and leaves. Thigmic stress because of the role of K in cell elongation. Chemical name used: (2‐chloroethyl)trimethyl‐ammonium chloride (chlormequat chloride).