Tomato is one of the widely grown vegetables around the world. Its use as processed and preserved foods in the diets of various countries is unique. Processed tomatoes are among the top 10 products exported worldwide. Considering its importance in the import-export scenario and being one of the key products, utmost care is taken to ensure optimum yield and efficiency during its cultivation. Producers always focus on providing good nutrient managements, which are considered essential for optimum growth, health and yield, as well as integrated pest management techniques.
In order to increase crop yield and ensure good availability of nutrients, producers use different feeding products as well as various technologies for soil and plant. Considering the importance of tomato as a crop, practices aimed at increasing the tolerance and yield of the crop against both biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as the performance of the plant, are beneficial for pests and diseases, etc. enhances the immune response.
Various factors around the world are causing a decrease in yield, shortening of shelf life and poor quality of tomato crop. Various compounds are used to overcome these difficulties.
Biostimulants have gained attention in recent years as a way to increase yield and productivity by promoting nutrient efficiency, plant growth. Many research studies have demonstrated the potential of biostimulants to increase plant productivity.
Biostimulants consist of a wide variety of mineral, botanical or microbial substances or materials that can stimulate natural processes in plants, increase resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors, and improve overall crop health. While various agricultural inputs are claimed as "biostimulants" , organic compounds such as peptides, amino acids, polysaccharides, seaweeds, humic acids and phytohormones, which are usually readily available for absorption by the plant, are considered biostimulant . Among them, widely sold biostimulants include humic substances, amino acids (hydrolyzed proteins), microbes, and seaweed extracts.
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The use of naturally derived and bio-based ingredients makes them suitable for organic farming as well as potentially reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers . Another important advantage is their ability to stimulate the natural processes of the crop and improve its resistance to pests, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and its nutrient profile.
A research study has revealed the positive effect of biostimulants and even plant growth regulators on both physiological and biochemical properties of tomato plant. Studies revealed that production using biostimulant showed an improvement in chlorophyll activity, soluble protein, nitrate reductase activity, shoot length and root length.
Another study demonstrated the potential of plant-based biostimulants to improve fruit quality and nutrient profile of tomato plants.
Despite an increasing number of research studies demonstrating the advantages of biostimulants in improving tomato crop yields, the adoption of these compounds is still in development. There is a definite need for further research to increase commercial adoption of biostimulants.