Elucidation of Shoot and Root Growth, Physiological Responses, and Quality Traits of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) Exposed to Elevated Calcium Carbonate Concentrations

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The study entitled :"Elucidation of Shoot and Root Growth, Physiological Responses and Quality Traits of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) Exposed to Elevated Calcium Carbonate Concentrations", by Sediqui et al, aimed to assess the impact of varying concentrations of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) in soil on the growth, physiology, and quality attributes of tomato plants, particularly relevant to the prevalent conditions in arid and semi-arid regions of Afghanistan. The study contains very interesting results in the contexte of the growth and developement of tomato in elevated CaCO₃ conditions. 

 

 

The main question in this study is how do the elevated calcium carbonate concentrations in the soil affect the growth and physiological responses of tomato plants, and what are the implications for agricultural production in regions with calcareous soils?, the authors must develope more the last paragraph in the introduction in which the objectives of the study must be clearly stated.

It is important to note what are the potential mechanisms by which calcium carbonate influences the plant's ability to absorb nutrients, and how do these mechanisms impact the plant's overall health and productivity? In the discussion section, it is imperative for authors to augment their discourse with additional details to bolster the depth and comprehensiveness of the discussion.

In the conclusion section; what are the limitations of this study, and how could future research build upon the findings presented here to better understand the complex interactions between calcium carbonate, soil, and plant growth?

Author Response

Dear respected reviewer,

I hope you are doing well.

Please kindly find the attached file, which contains our response to your comments. We hope that our answers meet your expectations for our research.

Best regards,

Sediqui Naveedullah

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript comprehensively analyzes the effects of different applied concentrations of calcium carbonate on the shoot, root, and fruit productivity and quality of tomato plant. On the whole, the full text writing standard, clear expression, scientific expression quality is high. However, there are still some issues that need to be resolved before it is worth publishing in the high-impact-factor journal. I give major revisions. Here are some specific suggestions.

1.      Please add to the research advance of calcium carbonate on nutrition and growth of plants (not limited to tomatoes). Only in this way can readers better understand the value of this paper.

2.      Line 25: “higher concentrations”, give and specify the range of the concentration.

3.      Line 39: what is young soil? Please specify.

4.      Line 87: 52m should be 52 m.

5.      Line 87: why the cultivar was selected? Tell the reason.

6.      Table 1: Please use proper expression forms. For example, the thickness of the line. The title of the Table 1 is not normal. Under 10% and 20% conditions, the soil pH value is lower than that under 5% condition?

7.      Figure 1: Why the plant height under some treatments decreasd with the incubation time?

Comments on the Quality of English Language

85 of 100

Author Response

Dear Respected Reviewer,

I hope you are doing well.

Please kindly find the attached file, which contains our response to your comments. We hope that our answers meet your expectations for our research.

Best regards,

Sediqui Naveedullah

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The revised manuscript is good.