The Stimulating Effect of Plant Extracts on Tomato Cultivation

Abstract

As it might be known, organic products are increasingly in demand. Indeed, one of the most environmentally and friendly innovations are the bio stimulants. Their effect is exposed on the flowering, the plant growth, the fruits and the crop productivity and nutrient use efficiency. In this study we evaluate the effect of two aqueous plant extracts Ocimum basilicum and Eucalyptus globulus on the growth and the performances of tomato. The methodology consist on two parts of evaluation: the effect on the plant performances and the quality of the fruit. At the same time the composition of the two plant extracts have been necessary to evaluate the compound responsible on the effects. The results showed that both aqueous extracts had a positive effect on the plant performances. Indeed, Ocimum basilicum-treated seedling reached 1.35±0.05 cm at the high 50% concentration. Compared with 1.02±0.16 cm for the negative control. Same for Eucalyptus globulus that reached 1.35±0.25 cm at the same dose. For the circumference of the seedlings, the same extract reached 8±0.93cm at the highest concentration. The number of flowers per fruits had a positive effect for two plant extracts. For the quality of the fruit, a positive effect had been evaluated on the fruit weight that reached 121±24g with 8% of Ocimum basilicum and 135±15g with Eucalyptus globulus. Same for circumference; PH; the titrable acidity and the total Carbohydrate. At the same time, it had a negative effect on the total juice that has decreased by the aggregate of the concentrations. It had a neutral effect on the coloration of the fruit that didn’t change by the application of the plants extracts. The phytochemical screening of the plant extracts showed that both Ocimum basilicum and Eucalyptus globulus are high in polyphenols that might be the reason of these positive impacts. This study showed that it is possible to use the plant extracts of Ocimum basilicum and Eucalyptus globulus as biostimulant to have a better production and productivity of tomatoes.

Keywords

• plant extract
• stimulant effect
• tomato
• ociumum basilicum
• eucalyptus globulus
• medicinal and aromatic plants