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Biostimulant effects of brown macroalgae and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the yield and quality of a yellow tomato landrace
1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 2 , 2 , 7 , 3 , 6 , 2 , * 8
1  Laboratory of Functional Physiology and Valorization of Bioresources, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja, University of Jendouba, Avenue Habib Bourguiba, BP, 382, 9000, Beja, Tunisia.
2  Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy
3  Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA)-Research Center for Cereal and Industrial Crops, 12 81100 Caserta, Italy
4  Department of Horticultural Technologies, ‘Ion Ionescu de la Brad’ University of Life Sciences, Iasi, Romania
5  Department of Food Technologies, ‘Ion Ionescu de la Brad’ University of Life Sciences, Iasi, Romania
6  Institut National de Recherche en Génie Rural, Eaux et Forêts, BP 10, 2080 Ariana, Tunisia
7  Research Center for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, 84098 Pontecagnano Faiano, Italy
8  Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés et Matériaux, Centre Européen de Biotechnologie et de Bioéconomie (CEBB), 3 rue des Rouges Terres 51110 Pomacle, France
Academic Editor: Theodoros Varzakas

Abstract:

Improving crop productivity while minimizing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides is a central challenge in sustainable agriculture. In this context, plant biostimulants such as brown macroalgae and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have emerged as effective tools to enhance crop performance by stimulating physiological processes, increasing nutrient use efficiency, and improving stress resilience. This study investigated the effects of three brown macroalgae species (Padina pavonica, Fucus vesiculosus, and Cystoseira tamariscifolia) and AMF, applied individually or in combination, on the growth, yield, fruit quality, and antioxidant activity of a traditional yellow tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) landrace. A two-year field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design, with eight treatments, including a non-treated control. Biostimulants were applied at transplanting and subsequently via root application. Among the treatments, P. pavonica—particularly when combined with AMF—showed the most promising results. This treatment led to the highest fruit yield (57.3 t ha⁻¹), an increase in the fruit number per plant (20.4 fruits/plant), and a greater total biomass (1.21 kg/plant). Fruit quality was also improved, with significant increases in soluble solids content (4.6 °Brix), firmness (1.42 kg/m²), and brightness (L* value of 61.2). Moreover, the P. pavonica + AMF treatment induced the strongest antioxidant response, with elevated levels of CAT (2.45 µmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein) and GPOX (23.71 µmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein) activities. These findings underline the synergistic potential of combining macroalgal extracts with mycorrhizal fungi to sustainably enhance both the yield and nutritional value of tomatoes. This approach offers a viable and environmentally friendly alternative for improving horticultural performance in reduced-input systems.

Keywords: Biostimulants, Brown algae, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Antioxidant activity, Sustainable agriculture, Fruit quality, Yield enhancement.
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