Pelosi, Maria Eleonora Sustainable Strategies For Cultivation Of Processing Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.). [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

Agricultural systems must improve resource efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. Processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), a major Mediterranean crop, is highly demanding in fertilizers and water, contributing substantially to field-stage impacts. This PhD research evaluated sustainable agronomic practices to balance productivity and environmental performance through three complementary studies (2023–2025) in Southern Italy, combining field experiments, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The first study investigated whether algae-based biostimulants could sustain crop performance under reduced nitrogen (N) availability. Three N fertilization levels were tested (100%, 90%, and 80% of the optimal rate in 2023; 100%, 80%, and 70% in 2024) combined with two commercial formulations (BIO1: Auximar + ProCalcium; BIO2: Enerleaf + Pentacalcium) applied as foliar sprays. Reducing N dose led to a proportional decline in yield compared to the optimal dose (–16% in 2023, mean value of N80% and N90% and –30% in 2024 with N70%). However, biostimulants application significantly increased marketable yield (+21% in 2023 and +36% in 2024), mainly through higher fruit number per plant. Biostimulant treatments + N80% achieved yields comparable to the full N dose. Nitrogen and biostimulants acted independently, but their combination, particularly with a 20% or greater N reduction, proved effective in reducing fertilizer use without compromising yield or fruit quality. The second study evaluated the effects of different mulching materials on yield, fruit quality, and water productivity (WP). Four treatments were compared: bare soil (BS, control), paper mulch (PPR), and two biodegradable films (BM1: starch–polymer blend; BM2: copolyester). Soil temperature and moisture were continuously monitored using Zentra probes, and irrigation volumes were adjusted to restore field capacity. Mulching increased marketable yield in both years (+48% in 2024 and +24% in 2025 vs. BS), mainly by enhancing fruit number. Mulched fruits exhibited higher firmness and °Brix (+3/9%), with statistically significant improvements in the second year. Biodegradable films enhanced ascorbic acid content (+46% vs. PPR), while paper mulch favored higher lycopene (+52%) and carotenoids (+24%) due to its cooling effect. Nitrogen content in fruits was lower under PPR (-26% in 2024; -3.6% in 2025). Moreover, mulching reduced water volumes and improved WPc, particularly in 2024 (PPR: 83.78 vs BS: 48.80 kg m-3). Despite lower overall WPc in 2025, mulched plots maintained more stable efficiency. Therefore, biodegradable films, by improving yield, quality, and water productivity, offer a sustainable alternative to polyethylene for Mediterranean processing tomato cultivation The third study incorporated the nitrogen and biostimulants application field trial results into a cradle-to-farm-gate LCA developed in SimaPro using the EF 3.1 and ReCiPe 2016 methods. Biostimulant application reduced total environmental impacts by 20/24% compared with the N100% control, especially for climate change and acidification (-21 to -24%), owing to yield increases that diluted burdens per kilogram of product. Conversely, nitrogen reduction alone yielded marginal benefits, as yield losses offset emission savings. Overall, the three studies demonstrate that combining agronomic innovation with life-cycle-based assessment provides a robust framework for the transition toward more sustainable, aligned with the objectives Farm to Fork Strategy and the European Green Deal.

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