4.7.2. Analysis of Plant Growth Parameters

Tomato seedlings of 21-day samples were collected to measure morphological traits. Three plants of each experiment were harvested and transferred to the laboratory and carefully uprooted, washed using tap water for measuring plant height and shoot and root fresh weight. Shoot and root dry weight were measured after oven drying at 40 ◦C for 48 h.

According to Lichtenthaler et al [77] method, chlorophyll content was determined after 35 days using spectrophotometry. The photosynthetic pigments were ground and extracted from 0.5 g of a third of the fully expanded plant leaves between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m., and suspended in 10 mL of 80% (*v*/*v*) acetone in the dark using a pestle and mortar. Extracts were filtrated and the content of total chlorophyll was determined at 645 nm and 663 nm.

## *4.8. Electrolytes Leakage*

Determination of electrolytes leakage was conducted by adding 200 mg of fresh tomato leaves to a test tube containing 4 mL of de-mineralized water and shacked for 30 min. It was then rinsed 3 times to eliminate surface electrolytes [78]. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was examined in the fresh tomato leaves using the method described by Heath and Packer [79]. Briefly, the MDA contents were determined after centrifugation (12,000× *g*) for 10 min; the absorbance reading was 600 nm and 532 nm using a UV–VIS spectrometer (Jenway, Tokyo, Japan).
