ASPECTOS FISIOLÓGICOS E QUALIDADE DO TOMATE PARA PROCESSAMENTO INDUSTRIAL PULVERIZADAS COM O BIOESTIMULANTE TALETE®

Abstract

The tomato for industrial processing are of great economic importance and are widely grown around the world, particularly in countries such as China, the United States, Italy. In Brazil, the state of Goiás leads national production, with high yield rates and a significant role in supplying the sauce and extract industries. In this context, there is a demand for technologies that increase fruit yield and quality, especially in the face of environmental constraints, such as water stress, and market requirements regarding physical, nutritional, and sensory characteristics. Among the strategies employed in the field, biostimulants have gained prominence for promoting improved physiological performance, increased water-use efficiency, and reduced impacts from biotic and abiotic factors, thereby enabling more sustainable and profitable production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the biostimulant Talete®, composed of algae extract and nutrients, applied at different stages of development, assessing interactions in gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, water use efficiency, yield, and physicochemical parameters of fruits from the HMX 7885 hybrid tomato variety grown under irrigated conditions at IF Goiano – Morrinhos Campus in a randomized complete block design with four treatments: T1: control; T2: 4 applications; T3: 3 applications; T4: 2 applications of 5 L/ha of the product, and at different application times. The evaluations covered gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, yield, and post-harvest parameters. The results showed that three to four applications of the product had a positive impact on photosynthesis, water use efficiency, and yield, indicating improved plant adaptation to growing conditions. However, a reduction was observed in certain qualitative attributes, such as firmness, soluble solids, and fruit color, suggesting that the biostimulant had an impact on ripening. In conclusion, Talete® offers agronomic potential for increased yield, provided it is applied at doses and frequencies appropriate to the crop’s development.