Researches
Bryan Palma and Andrés G. Castillo A.
Key Words
Bermello
Eficaz
Date
July, 2020
Crops
Tomate
Products
SeaMaxx
Sombra WP
Effect of Sombra WP and SeaMaxx as a strategy to reduce abiotic stress and biostimulate tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum var. “Bermello” and “Eficaz”).
Climatic change modified the rainfall patterns in the tropics, causing more intense and concentrated rain events and
extending the dry season. High radiation cause foliar temperature increase and damage the photosynthetic machinery. In this
work, the effect of foliar spraying of a combined aluminosilicate (Sombra ®) and seaweed extract (SeaMaxx ®) treatment to
reduce abiotic stress and biostimulate tomato plants was evaluated in Costa Rica. Twice a month, foliar spraying to tomato
plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv: “Bermello” and “Eficaz”) were made using an AS [2.5% w/v] with SWE [0.25% v/v]. Daily
courses of leaf gas exchange were measured using a LI6800 Photosynthesis System (Licor Environmental Biosciences), a
youngest, fully expanded apical leaf as taken an indicator of photosynthetic performance.
Infrared thermal imaging was used to measure leaf, flower and fruit temperature, Fruit quality classification and fresh weight was measured weekly during the crop cycle. Net assimilation rates were higher (~20-30%) during most of the day and significantly higher during some hours, when AS+SWE was applied. Plant organ temperature was approximately 1- 1.8°C lower in treated plants. More fruits of 1st quality were obtained when AS+SWE was applied and fruit yield was approximately 18% higher for treated plants. This work evidence the application of aluminosilicate and seaweed extract during dry season in the tropics as a strategy to reduce the abiotic stress cause by solar radiation and high temperature.
Infrared thermal imaging was used to measure leaf, flower and fruit temperature, Fruit quality classification and fresh weight was measured weekly during the crop cycle. Net assimilation rates were higher (~20-30%) during most of the day and significantly higher during some hours, when AS+SWE was applied. Plant organ temperature was approximately 1- 1.8°C lower in treated plants. More fruits of 1st quality were obtained when AS+SWE was applied and fruit yield was approximately 18% higher for treated plants. This work evidence the application of aluminosilicate and seaweed extract during dry season in the tropics as a strategy to reduce the abiotic stress cause by solar radiation and high temperature.