Application of biostimulants improves yield and fruit quality in tomato

ABSTRACT

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), grown in saline soils, exhibit reduced yield quantity and quality which may be alleviated with the use of biostimulants. These materials can be applied to roots, foliage or seed and are designed for a specific action and target a particular stage of plant development. Tecamin Flower® (TF) and Tecamin Brix® (TB) are foliar biostimulants formulated to improve flowering and fruit quality. The biostimulants were used separately, or in combination, to determine their effects on tomato yield quantity and quality. Tecamin Brix® applied alone, or in combination with Tecamin Flower®, resulted in higher yield. Both biostimulants increased fruit quality, with the highest levels of firmness, total soluble solids, pigment and pH obtained with joint application of Tecamin Brix® and Tecamin Flower®. The combined application of Tecamin Brix® and Tecamin Flower® might be effective in improving tomato fruit yield and quality, especially in soils with high salt concentrations.

KEYWORDS:

• Solanum lycopersicum
• biostimulants
• quality
• salinity
• soil