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

Abstract

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 eco nomic 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 sig nificant 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.