BACKGROUND: Biostimulants have recently gained increased attention due to their multiple benefits for sustainable agriculture. In this study, three food processing by-products - fennel processing residues (FPR), lemon processing residues (LPR) and brewer's spent grain (BSG) - were investigated as potential sources of biostimulants. Their aqueous extracts as individual and associated applications were assessed for their effects on agronomic, quality and metabolic performance of organic tomato in comparison to extract of humic substances (HS) and untreated control (CTRL). RESULTS: Only FPR extracts stimulated shoot growth and tomato dry matter content, whereas all candidates improved tomato yield. FPR and BSG increased fruit mineral content and BSG-FPR-LPR in combination enhanced titratable acidity. FPR-treated fruits had also 20% more vitamin C than CTRL, and higher phenol content was obtained in those of BSG-LPR. Fruit metabolomic profile showed the tendency of all extracts, except BSG-LPR, to increase tomato citric acid and to decrease β-glucose and methanol concentrations. The analysis revealed accordingly the indispensable role of FPR in combined applications for inducing an HS-like response in fruits. CONCLUSION: The results were indicative of the biostimulant activity of these extracts and demonstrated them, particularly FPR, as promising candidates for enhancing plant productivity and fruit quality.
BACKGROUND: Biostimulants have recently gained increased attention due to their multiple benefits for sustainable agriculture. In this study, three food processing by-products - fennel processing residues (FPR), lemon processing residues (LPR) and brewer's spent grain (BSG) - were investigated as potential sources of biostimulants. Their aqueous extracts as individual and associated applications were assessed for their effects on agronomic, quality and metabolic performance of organic tomato in comparison to extract of humic substances (HS) and untreated control (CTRL). RESULTS: Only FPR extracts stimulated shoot growth and tomato dry matter content, whereas all candidates improved tomato yield. FPR and BSG increased fruit mineral content and BSG-FPR-LPR in combination enhanced titratable acidity. FPR-treated fruits had also 20% more vitamin C than CTRL, and higher phenol content was obtained in those of BSG-LPR. Fruit metabolomic profile showed the tendency of all extracts, except BSG-LPR, to increase tomatocitric acid and to decrease β-glucose and methanol concentrations. The analysis revealed accordingly the indispensable role of FPR in combined applications for inducing an HS-like response in fruits. CONCLUSION: The results were indicative of the biostimulant activity of these extracts and demonstrated them, particularly FPR, as promising candidates for enhancing plant productivity and fruit quality.
Authors: Carla Pereira; Maria Inês Dias; Spyridon A Petropoulos; Sofia Plexida; Antonios Chrysargyris; Nikos Tzortzakis; Ricardo C Calhelha; Marija Ivanov; Dejan Stojković; Marina Soković; Lillian Barros; Isabel C F R Ferreira Journal: Molecules Date: 2019-12-08 Impact factor: 4.411
Authors: Lerato Nephali; Lizelle A Piater; Ian A Dubery; Veronica Patterson; Johan Huyser; Karl Burgess; Fidele Tugizimana Journal: Metabolites Date: 2020-12-10
Authors: Joanna Majkowska-Gadomska; Artur Dobrowolski; Krzysztof K Jadwisieńczak; Zdzisław Kaliniewicz; Anna Francke Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-11-16 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Sławomir Kocira; Agnieszka Szparaga; Patryk Hara; Krzysztof Treder; Pavol Findura; Petr Bartoš; Martin Filip Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2020-10-20 Impact factor: 4.379