Initial development of tomato plants in response to biostimulants

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of biostimulants in the initial development of tomato plants. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at the Goiano Federal Institute (IFGoiano), campus Urutaí, Brazil. The treatments consisted of applying four biostimulants (Raizer, NK+ Aminosoil, Rootex, and Booster) in six doses (0, 25, 75, 100, 125, and 150% of the recommended dose). Height (cm), fresh root weight (FRW, g), dry root weight (DRW, g), aerial part fresh weight (APFW, g), and aerial part dry weight (APDW, g) were evaluated 30 days after transplanting. We also evaluated the content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) in the leaves. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (F-test, 5% probability), and treatments were compared using Student's t-test. The treatment with NK+Aminosoil promoted increment in plant height, MSPA, and N-content in leaves, with the best doses varying between 75 and 100% of the recommended dose. Rootex promoted increases in FRW, APFW, APDW, and N-content, when using 125 and 150% of the recommended dose. The Booster positively affected root development (FRW and DRW), increasing P and S-contents in applications ranging from 125 to 150% of the recommended dose. Raizer promoted greater shoot development (APFW and APDW), increasing N-contents when 125% of the recommended dose was used. It could be inferred that the evaluated biostimulants affected the initial development of tomato plants.