A Novel Plant-Based Biostimulant Improves Plant Performances under Drought Stress in Tomato

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Abstract
Abiotic stress adversely affects crop production, causing yield reductions in important crops, including tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Among different abiotic stresses, drought is considered to be the most critical one since limited water availability negatively impacts plants growth and development, especially in arid or semi-arid areas. This study aimed to understand how biostimulants may interact with critical physiological response mechanisms in tomatoes under limited water availability and to define strategies to improve tomato performances under drought stress. We investigated physiological responses of the tomato genotype ‘E42’ grown in an open field under control conditions (100% irrigation) and limited water availability (50% irrigation) and treated or not with a novel plant-based biostimulant named CycoFlow (Agriges, BN, Italia). Plants treated with the biostimulant showed an increase in stomatal conductance. The highest yield per plant was registered under the 100% water regimens in biostimulant-treated plants. Biostimulant-treated plants had higher pollen viability (+50.94% under water deficit) and higher fruit weight (+56.13% under water deficit) compared to non-treated plants. The treatment with the biostimulant had also an effect on antioxidants and pigments content in leaves and fruits. Altogether, these results indicate that the application of the biostimulant CycoFlow to tomato plants improved plant performances under limited water availability.

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