BIOSUVEG: an innovative biostimulant for tomato

The research for new potential biostimulant components and their characterization and usage optimization represent a challenging topic of research and has been subjected to ever intensive investigation in recent years. In this context, the EIT Food innovation and research project “Innovative biostimulants for sustainable fruit production from vegetable crops (BIOSUVEG)” is being implemented to achieve an innovative biostimulant to launch onto the market. The BIOSUVEG project involves a spin-off company from the University of Turin (Italy), StrigoLab Srl, which produces an innovative raw biostimulant ingredient obtained from roots exudates of tomato plants following a proprietary process. Also, we aimed to formulate it to optimize its activity with a sticking agent provided by Koppert Biological Systems B.V. (The Netherlands). A series of foliar sprays were performed with two dilutions of the Strigolab’s raw powder mixed with the Koppert’s sticky agent. The trial was performed in tomato variety KOKORO F1 (Unigen®Seeds, Italy), in an open field under a plastic tunnel. To validate the two different dilutions, different traits are being evaluated such as flowering induction and flowering acceleration, yield, and fruit quality. In the end, all this information from the field trial would allow choosing the best solution dosage to meet farmers’ expectations and needs and further develop strict claims for the biostimulant.