Natural biostimulants as upscale substitutes to synthetic hormones for boosting tomato yield and fruits quality

Youssef Rouphael [Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy]
Luigi Formisano [Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy]
Michele Ciriello [Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy]
Mariateresa Cardarelli [Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria, Centro di ricerca Orticoltura e Florovivaismo, Pontecagnano Faiano, Italy]
Francesca Luziatelli [Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy]
Maurizio Ruzzi [Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy]
Anna Grazia Ficca [Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy]
Paolo Bonini [NGA Laboratory, Tarragona, Spain]
Giuseppe Colla [Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy]

Natural biostimulants are one of the most promising and eco-sustainable technologies, which can improve the qualitative and productive attributes of horticultural crops. The positive effects of their application derive from their “signaling role” as elicitors of auxin- and gibberellin-like activity, thus constituting a valid alternative to synthetic hormones. Our research aimed to assess the efficacy of a plant extract (Heptamin®) and a bacterial culture filtrate (Capxium®), both rich in natural auxins, and of a synthetic auxin (Auxyger® LG) on the quantitative and qualitative performance, as well as on the economic returns of greenhouse table tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Pitagora). The application of plant extract increased the marketable yield (+25.8%), firmness (+25.7%), and fruit lycopene content (+42.5%) compared to the untreated control. In particular, natural biostimulants outperformed synthetic auxin by inducing higher fruit weight (13.1%) and marketable yield (16.2%). On the other hand, no significant differences were recorded as a result of the treatments regarding total soluble solids, pH, and titratable acidity of the fruit juice. Our results suggest that plant biostimulants with auxin-like activity are an excellent tool for boosting tomato production and fruit quality in an eco-sustainable approach. Finally, economic analysis revealed that the application of natural biostimulants resulted in overall higher profitability.

DOI: 10.26353/j.itahort/2021.1.8899

Keywords: Solanum lycopersicum L., synthetic auxin, vegetable extract, bacterial filtrate, greenhouse, lycopene, phytohormones, budget analysis

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Rouphael, Y., Formisano, L., Ciriello, M., Cardarelli, M., Luziatelli, F., Ruzzi, M., Ficca, A.G., Bonini, P. and Colla, G. (2021) 'Natural biostimulants as upscale substitutes to synthetic hormones for boosting tomato yield and fruits quality', Italus Hortus, 28(1), pp.88-99. doi: 10.26353/j.itahort/2021.1.8899