The Effect of Biostimulants on Fruit Quality of Processing Tomato Grown under Deficit Irrigation

Abstract

Water shortage can be a restrictive factor for the growth and quality of vegetable crops. Considering the alleviating effects of biostimulant application against water stress, this study aimed to investigate the effect of four biostimulant products (protein and amino acids with carboxylic acids (Tr1); protein and amino acids with seaweed extracts (Tr2); humic and fulvic acids with seaweed extracts (Tr3); SiO2 (Tr4); and control (no biostimulants added)) and two irrigation systems (regulated deficit irrigation (RDI)—65% of field capacity and regular irrigation (RI)—100% of field capacity) on quality parameters of processing tomato fruit. Regulated deficit irrigation and biostimulant application increased the energetic value, carbohydrates, and free sugars content, while organic acids showed a variable response to biostimulant use. In terms of tocopherols (α-, β-, γ-, δ-) and carotenoids (lycopene and β-carotene), regular irrigation and biostimulant application negatively affected their content, while Tr3 treatment had a beneficial impact on these lipophilic compounds under RDI conditions. The main fatty acids were palmitic (C16:0) and linoleic (C18:2n6) acids, which increased when plants were treated with Tr3 and Tr1 biostimulants under a deficit regime. Antioxidant activity (assessed by TBARS and OxHLIA assays) and total phenolic and flavonoids content also showed a variable response to the studied factors. In particular, the application of Tr3 and the control treatment under RDI increased the total phenolic content, while the control and Tr3 treatments under the same irrigation regime recorded the highest antioxidant activity. In conclusion, our results indicate that the adoption of eco-friendly strategies such as regulated deficit irrigation and biostimulant application can beneficially affect the quality traits of processing tomatoes.

An Evaluation of the Effectivity of the Green Leaves Biostimulant on Lettuce Growth, Nutritional Quality, and Mineral Element Efficiencies under Optimal Growth Conditions

“…In general, the application of both doses of Green Leaves produced a significant increase in the concentration of soluble sugars in the plants compared with control plants (Figure 2a), which is related to the higher photosynthetic activity (Table 4) and the enhanced production of biomass and leaf area (Table 1). Other studies in rice and tomato plants also suggest that biostimulant application enhanced photosynthesis performance, which in turn increased soluble sugar accumulation [37,38].…”

“…and the enhanced production of biomass and leaf area (Table 1). Other studies in rice and tomato plants also suggest that biostimulant application enhanced photosynthesis performance, which in turn increased soluble sugar accumulation [37,38].…”

Yield and Fruit Characteristics of Tomato Crops Grown with Mineral Macronutrients: Impact of Organo-Mineral Fertilizers through Foliar or Soil Applications

“…In this regard, it is highlighted that the effects of different biostimulants on tomato quality obtained in the literature are very different from each other. These differences could be due to several factors, among which are the biostimulant composition [ 35 ] and the technique of their application (when and how to apply) [ 73 , 74 ], the tomato genotype used [ 17 , 70 ] and the climatic conditions, such as temperature [ 75 ].…”

“…This is mainly due to the variety of underlying factors in crop fields, including weather variability, climate fluctuations, soil type, and field management [ 14 ]. Furthermore, the application of biostimulants has recently been extensively studied on tomato crops under abiotic stress conditions (temperature, drought, salinity, nutrition) to enhances growth, improve yield and quality, and minimize the negative effects of stress [ 23 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Several studies have also been conducted under mineral nutritional conditions [ 17 , 39 , 40 ], but comparative research on fields of different levels of fertility is lacking.…”

Bioavailability of Cd in Plantago weldenii and Sonchus oleraceus Plants: The Effects of a Humic and Fulvic Acids-Based Biostimulant

“…On the other hand, biostimulants are novel substances that have recently been used for enhancing the phytoremediation efficiency of contaminated soils [19]. It has been recognized that utilizing biostimulants in crop production increases plant vigor, crop yield, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors [16,[20][21][22]. Recent studies have confirmed that these products can reduce the bioavailability of PTEs in soil and their toxic effects to plants [23][24][25].…”