USE OF SEED+® AND CROP+® BIOESTIMULANTS ON THE QUALITY OF TOMATO FRUITS UNDER WATER STRESS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Accelerated biotic and abiotic stresses have diminished the quality and yield of agricultural products. Thus, the use of biostimulants comes with the proposal of reducing the stresses experienced by plants and, consequently, reducing agricultural losses. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of Seed+® and Crop+® biostimulants on tomato fruits, cultivar Santa Cruz Kada, under water stress. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. A completely randomized experimental design was used, in a 2 x 2 x 6 three-factor scheme, with the following factors: application time (flowering and fruiting), soil water conditions (50% and 100% of soil water retention capacity) and biostimulants (without treatment; Seed+®; Seed+® + Crop+® 1x the commercial dose; Seed+® + Crop+® 2x the commercial dose; Crop+® 1x the commercial dose; Crop+® 2x the commercial dose). Under water deficit conditions, the fruits of plants treated with Seed+® and Crop+® biostimulants had higher values of pH, total soluble solids and titratable acidity compared to plants that did not receive biostimulants. Seed+® and Crop+® biostimulants maintain the quality of tomato fruits until 18 days after harvest.