Genotype-biostimulant association reveals the guidelines for an improved cherry tomato soilless cultivation

Abstract

Plant reaction to biostimulant treatment varies on different factors, such as genotype, cultivation techniques and practices. Moreover, the mutual use of microbial and non-microbial biostimulants might generate synergistic effects with positive repercussions on plant performances. Thus, the scope of the current study, conducted in the framework of the SO.MI.PR.O.N. regional project, was to evaluate the response of two cherry tomato genotypes (‘Creativo’ F1 and P1 ecotype) to the application, alone or combined, of a tropical plant extract (VNE), a legumederived protein hydrolysate (LDPH) and Trichoderma atroviride (TA). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between genotypes, specifically the ‘Creativo’ F1 hybrid revealed the highest positive response in terms of growth (+7.5 %), yield (+18.3 %) and firmness (+67.2 %), whereas the P1 ecotype showed the better qualitative features (total soluble solids, fruit dry matter and lycopene increased by 4.9 %, 11.2 % and 23.7 % compared to the ‘Creativo’ F1, respectively). Overall, our research underlined that ‘Creativo’ F1 had a better response to biostimulants application, especially when exposed to the combined use of all biostimulants, than P1 ecotype as regard as productive parameters, such as total and marketable fruit production, number of marketable fruits, fresh shoot biomass and firmness, while P1 ecotype showed higher increases in terms of qualitative features like total soluble solids, fruit dry matter, and lycopene. Although this study revealed the importance of specific genotype-biostimulant associations, for several productive and qualitative parameters, both genotypes (‘Creativo’ F1 and P1 ecotype) performed better when exposed to all biostimulants.