AJUSTE FITOTÉCNICO PARA TOMATE RASTEIRO DESTINADO AO CONSUMO 'IN NATURA' COM USO DE SOLUBILIZADOR DE FÓSFORO

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation is one of the most important in the world due to its economic relevance. The search for sustainable management practices has become increasingly important in the face of environmental problems and high production costs. Furthermore, the labor lack in the field increases the demand for techniques that facilitate cultivation, reduce costs, and increase productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a biological product and the productive performance of determinate growth habit tomato hybrids for the fresh market. The work was carried out in two experimental areas in the municipality of Morrinhos. A phosphorus-solubilizing inoculant composed of the bacterium Bacillus velezensis UFV3918, associated with organomineral fertilizer, was used. Tomato plants were cultivated at densities of 10,000 plants ha-1 and 20,000 plants ha-1. The data were subjected to statistical analysis, with means compared using Fisher's exact test (LSD ≤ 0.05). Significant differences in productivity were observed in function of hybrids, planting densities, and biological product application. The results indicate that the use of bio-inputs, associated with the cultivation of specific hybrids in a ground-level system, have the potential to increase productivity and reduce costs, constituting a viable alternative for producers who supply the fresh market.