Effects of applying Bacillus subtilis before harvest on tomato fruit physicochemical properties
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) naturally occur in the environment and offer various plant benefits. The Bacillus genus, part of the PGPB group, is effective in post-harvest disease control and may influence fruit quality mechanisms. The objective was to evaluate the pre-harvest application of different doses of a commercial B. subtilis formulation on the physicochemical and qualitative characteristics of tomato fruits. Conducted in a randomized block design with five treatments and four blocks, increasing doses of the biofungicide Serenade® (B. subtilis) were applied via foliar spray: 0.0 (Control), 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0 L ha-1. The study measured soluble solids (SS), pH, titratable acidity (TA), ratio (SS/TA), ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA), firmness, total phenolic compounds (TPC), antioxidant capacity (DPPH), lipid peroxidation (LP), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase - SOD, catalase - CAT, and peroxidase - POD), total soluble sugars (TSS), reducing sugars (RS), starch, respiration, and ethylene content. Doses of 4 and 6 L ha-1 of B. subtilis increased SS (13%), TA (58%), AA (30%), CA (17%), TPC, DPPH (50%), H2O2 (30%), CAT activity (11%), POD, starch (46%), and respiration, while the ratio (SS/TA) was reduced by 27%, as well as LP (20%), SOD activity (6%), and RS content (28%) compared to the control. Pre-harvest application of the B. subtilis-based biofungicide at doses of 4 and 6 L ha-1 improved tomato fruits' physicochemical and qualitative characteristics, enhancing the antioxidant system and reducing membrane damage to maintain tissue integrity.
Authors: Isabelly Cristina da Silva Marques, Dayane Mércia Ribeiro Silva, Eduardo Santana Aires, Fernanda Nery Vargens, Francisco Gilvan Borges Ferreira Freitas Júnior, Vinicius Alexandre Ávila dos Santos, José Wilker Germano de Souza, Wesley de Oliveira Galdino, Francisco de Assis de Oliveira, Elizabeth Orika Ono, João Domingos Rodrigues
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410242963