The effect of biopesticides on tomato yield and quality

Abstract

Biopesticides are increasingly being used for plant protection as natural and environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides. The aim of the research was to examine the impact of the Bacillus spp. and calendula extract on tomato yield (fresh weight of fruits) and fruit quality (content of phenolic compounds, vitamin C, lycopene and carotenoids). The experiment was carried out during the 2024 growing season in the field conditions using tomato cultivar for processing (SP-109). The experiment was laid out in a random block system, with four replications. Five treatments were applied three times during the vegetable season (T1 - Bacillus spp. isolate 1, T2 - Bacillus spp. isolate 2, T3 - Calendula extract, T4 - Fungicide, T5 - Control). Results showed that T1 treatment significantly increased yield per plant (593 g) compared to treatments T2, T3, T4 and T5 (466.5 g, 509.4 g, 420.3 g and 525.2 g). Also, the T1 treatment had a significant impact on fruit quality, since vitamin C content in the fruits was increased (from 33.5% to 213.6%) compared to others treatments. The content of phenolic compounds was significantly reduced in all treatments compared to control treatment, while the lycopene and carotenoids were similar in all treatments. Results of this investigation indicate that the application of biological agents, specifically selected Bacillus spp. isolate 1 (T1), can have effects comparable to fungicides (even better), as evidenced by the achieved tomato yield and fruit quality, while calendula extract had no effect on tomato yield and quality