Application and evaluation of innovative biostimulants that reduce plant water and fertilizer needs in greenhouse tomato crops
Funding Framework
The pilot project of the Operational Group ” VIO-PROSARMOGI” is financed by Action 2 “Implementation of the Operational Plan (project) of collaborations with the aim of promoting actions that demonstrate respect for the protection of the environment and adaptation to climate change” of Submeasure 16.1-16.5 “Cooperation for environmental projects, environmental practices and actions for climate change and current environmental practices” (Project Code: Μ16ΣΥΝ2-00172). This specific action is implemented within the framework of the Rural Development Program (RDP) of Greece 2014-2022 co-financed by the European Union – European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
The main purpose of the work of OT
The main objective of the project is to study the effects of the use of innovative biostimulants in greenhouse tomato and to propose to Greek producers environmentally friendly ways to increase the production and nutritional value of Greek products.
Object and Objectives
Climate change intensifies the problem of water scarcity, which is particularly acute in areas with greenhouse crops, such as Ierapetra, which give high productions and incomes but consume a lot of water.
At the same time, the nitrate pollution of the aquifer due to rich fertilization, the salinization of irrigation water and the quantitative restrictions on the use of irrigation water from alternative sources, such as the Bramianos dam in Ierapetra, lead to a serious reduction in yields per hectare and quality. The use of biostimulants has been shown to increase plant growth, nutrient uptake and water use efficiency without negative effects on yields.
The selected biostimulants have been successfully tested in the European research programs TOMRES and RADIANT, in which the Laboratory of Horticultural Crops also participates and can be used in the greenhouse crops of Ierapetra, with the aim of limiting water and fertilizer consumption by addressing the problem of water scarcity due to climate change.