Natural Fertilizers and Algae Boost Organic Tomato Yield and Quality

Jim Crocker
2nd September, 2024

Natural Fertilizers and Algae Boost Organic Tomato Yield and Quality

Thirty days after transplanting, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants treated with microbial biofertilizers exhibited enhanced shoot growth and longer, denser root systems compared to untreated controls, demonstrating improved seedling establishment.

Image adapted from: Quintarelli et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • In Ferrara, Italy, researchers found that microbial biofertilizers and algae-based biostimulants significantly improved tomato plant growth and yield
  • The highest growth and yield were observed with the combination of PGPM_2 and Biost_1.0%, resulting in 67.2 tons per hectare
  • These treatments also enhanced fruit quality, including size, sugar content, color, and lycopene content, supporting sustainable agriculture
Microbial biofertilizers and algae-based biostimulants have been recognized for supporting sustainable agriculture. In recent field experiments conducted in the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons on an organic farm in Ferrara, Italy, researchers from the University of Ferrara evaluated the effects of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) and algae-based biostimulants on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.)[1]. This study aimed to determine whether these treatments could enhance plant growth and yield in an environmentally friendly manner. The experimental setup included two microbial biofertilizers (PGPM_1 and PGPM_2) and a control group with no inoculated plants (No_PGPM). Additionally, two rates of algae-based biostimulants (0.5% (Biost_0.5%) and 1.0% (Biost_1.0%)) were tested against a no-application control (No_Biost). PGPMs were applied at transplanting, while biostimulants were administered 15 and 30 days after transplanting. Plant characteristics were evaluated 30 days after transplanting, and various growth parameters, including soil plant analysis development (SPAD), nitrogen difference vegetation index (NDVI), leaf area index (LAI), and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), were monitored throughout the cultivation period. Tomato yield was also determined. The results showed that PGPM_2 led to the highest shoot biomass (132.9 g per plant), plant height (44.7 cm), leaf number (34 per plant), and root biomass (9.22 g per plant). Intermediate values were observed in PGPM_1, while all parameters were lower in the No_PGPM group. Both PGPM treatments achieved higher SPAD, NDVI, PPFD, and LAI values compared to the control. Among the biostimulants, Biost_1.0% resulted in the highest growth parameters, followed by Biost_0.5%, and then No_Biost. The highest tomato yield was recorded for the treatment combining PGPM_2 and Biost_1.0% (67.2 tons per hectare). Additionally, PGPMs influenced fruit size and sugar content, while biostimulants were linked to improvements in color and lycopene content. These findings align with prior research emphasizing the potential of PGPMs in enhancing crop productivity and quality[2]. PGPMs are known for their multifaceted benefits, including promoting plant growth, acting as sources of metabolites and enzymes, mobilizing nutrients, and controlling pests biologically. They can also induce disease resistance and assist in bioremediation by extracting and detoxifying heavy metals, pollutants, and pesticides[2]. The current study extends these benefits to organic tomato farming, demonstrating that PGPMs can significantly improve growth parameters and yield. The study also resonates with earlier findings that highlight the challenges in transferring biotechnological innovations like PGPMs to the agricultural sector[3]. Successful integration requires collaboration between academia, industry, and local communities. The study from Ferrara illustrates the practical application of PGPMs and biostimulants, potentially bridging the gap between research and practice. Moreover, the study's results on microbial biomass and enzymatic activity in the rhizosphere align with previous research on the effects of biofertilizers on wheat cultivation[4]. The increase in microbial biomass and enzyme activity, particularly when Rhizophagus irregularis was included as an inoculant, was associated with improved plant growth and nitrogen accumulation. Although the current study did not focus on microbial biodiversity, it suggests that biofertilizers can enhance soil microbial activity without disrupting the existing microbiome. In conclusion, the application of microbial biofertilizers and algae-based biostimulants in organic tomato farming shows promise as an environment-friendly practice. The study conducted by the University of Ferrara demonstrates that these treatments can enhance plant growth, yield, and fruit quality, supporting sustainable agriculture practices.

AgricultureBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Microbial biofertilizers and algae-based biostimulant affect fruit yield characteristics of organic processing tomato.

Published 31st August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.13851

Related Studies

2) PGPR: the treasure of multifarious beneficial microorganisms for nutrient mobilization, pest biocontrol and plant growth promotion in field crops.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-023-03536-0

3) Challenges for Plant Growth Promoting Microorganism Transfer from Science to Industry: A Case Study from Chile.

https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11041061

4) Effects of Seed-Applied Biofertilizers on Rhizosphere Biodiversity and Growth of Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Field.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00072


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