<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The quality of tomato fruits is influenced by preharvest factors. <italic>Trichoderma</italic> are considered biostimulants with potential to improve growth and development in plants, as well as the quality of the fruits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of <italic>Trichoderma</italic> on the quality of tomato fruits at different cluster levels on the same plant in two commercial hybrids using three different substrates in a greenhouse. Six foliar applications of a liquid biological preparation of <italic>Trichoderma</italic> were performed at a dose of 4 mL L<sup>−1</sup> every 15 days after transplanting. The results show that the foliar application of <italic>Trichoderma</italic> increased the ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity of the fruits at different cluster levels, which was mainly due to the decrease in acidity rather than the increase in soluble solids. The decrease in titratable acidity is in accordance with the increase in the pH of the fruits. <italic>Trichoderma</italic> have a positive effect on titratable acidity, pH and electrical conductivity of fruits. In the Cid hybrid grown in the tezontle substrate, the application of <italic>Trichoderma</italic> increased the ratio of total soluble solids to titratable acidity. At the same time, sand increased the percentage of juice in the fruits. Foliar application of <italic>Trichoderma</italic> increases the quality of tomato fruits, and as such, should be considered as a crop management option.</p></abstract>

The quality of tomato fruits is influenced by preharvest factors. Trichoderma are considered biostimulants with potential to improve growth and development in plants, as well as the quality of the fruits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of Trichoderma on the quality of tomato fruits at different cluster levels on the same plant in two commercial hybrids using three different substrates in a greenhouse. Six foliar applications of a liquid biological preparation of Trichoderma were performed at a dose of 4 mL L−1 every 15 days after transplanting. The results show that the foliar application of Trichoderma increased the ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity of the fruits at different cluster levels, which was mainly due to the decrease in acidity rather than the increase in soluble solids. The decrease in titratable acidity is in accordance with the increase in the pH of the fruits. Trichoderma have a positive effect on titratable acidity, pH and electrical conductivity of fruits. In the Cid hybrid grown in the tezontle substrate, the application of Trichoderma increased the ratio of total soluble solids to titratable acidity. At the same time, sand increased the percentage of juice in the fruits. Foliar application of Trichoderma increases the quality of tomato fruits, and as such, should be considered as a crop management option.

Effect of foliar application of <italic>Trichoderma</italic> on the quality of tomato fruits grown in different hydroponic substrates

Folia Horticulturae

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Effect of foliar application of  on the quality of tomato fruits grown in different hydroponic substrates

The quality of tomato fruits is influenced by preharvest factors. Trichoderma are considered biostimulants with potential to improve growth and development in...

Effect of foliar application of Trichoderma on the quality of tomato fruits grown in different hydroponic substrates

Published Online: Dec 26, 2019

Page range: 355 - 364

Received: Jul 10, 2019

Accepted: Oct 10, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fhort-2019-0028

Keywords
cluster level, inorganic substrates, soluble solids, titratable acidity

© 2019 Rogelio Enrique Palacios-Torres et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Effect of foliar application of Trichoderma on the quality of tomato fruits grown in different hydroponic substrates

Published Online: Dec 26, 2019

Page range: 355 - 364

Received: Jul 10, 2019

Accepted: Oct 10, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fhort-2019-0028

Keywordscluster level, inorganic substrates, soluble solids, titratable acidity

© 2019 Rogelio Enrique Palacios-Torres et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
cluster level, inorganic substrates, soluble solids, titratable acidity