PROTETORES SOLARES E BIOLÓGICOS NA PRODUTIVIDADE DO TOMATEIRO PARA PROCESSAMENTO INDUSTRIAL

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate whether the use of a UV protectant and the application timing enhance the performance of bioinsecticides (entomopathogenic fungi and Bacillus thuringiensis) in processing tomato, as reflected in yield. The trial was conducted under field conditions using the cultivar CVR 8161 in a randomized complete block design with three replications. In a factorial scheme, two application times (12:00 and 17:00), the presence/absence of a UV protectant, and four agents (Beauveria bassiana, B. bassiana + Metarhizium anisopliae, B. bassiana + Cordyceps javanica, and Bacillus thuringiensis) were tested, in addition to a control treatment (water) and a farm standard (the insecticide polytrin). Sprays were performed at 67, 74, and 81 days after transplanting, and harvest assessed fruit weight and yield (t ha⁻¹). Yield ranged from 88.15 t ha⁻¹ (control) to 139.10 t ha⁻¹ (biological treatment applied at 17:00), while the chemical standard reached 122.40 t ha⁻¹. On average, late-afternoon applications with a UV protectant showed an advantage (127.32 t ha⁻¹) over applications without a protectant and over midday applications; however, there was no consistent evidence of yield gains attributable to the UV protectant itself. It is concluded that bioinputs can sustain yields comparable to chemical management, and that optimizing application timing is a key adjustment to maximize productive performance in processing tomato.