Endophytic actinomycetes promote growth and fruits quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum): an approach for sustainable tomato production

Background Tomato, a fruit with a high vitamin content, is popular for consumption and economically important in Thailand. However, in the past year, the extensive usage of chemicals has significantly decreased tomato yields. Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) is an alternative that can help improve tomato production system growth and yield quality while using fewer chemicals. The present study aimed to determine whether endophytic actinomycetes promote growth and fruit quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Methods The experiment was conducted in a net-houses at the Center for Agricultural Resource System Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai province, Thailand. The randomized completely block design (RCBD) was carried out for four treatments with three replications, which was control, inoculation with TGsR-03-04, TGsL-02-05 and TGsR-03-04 with TGsL-02-05 in tomato plant. Isolated Actinomycetes spp. of each treatment was then inoculated into the root zone of tomato seedlings and analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The height of tomato plants was measured at 14, 28, 56, and 112 days after transplanting. Final yield and yield quality of tomato was assessed at the maturity phase. Results The SEM result illustrated that the roots of tomato seedlings from all treatments were colonized by endophytic actinomycetes species. This contributed to a significant increase in plant height at 14 days after transplanting (DAT), as found in the TGsR-03-04 treatment (19.40 cm) compared to the control. Besides, all inoculated treatments enhanced tomato yield and yield quality. The highest weight per fruit (47.38 g), fruit length (52.37 mm), vitamin C content (23.30 mg 100 g−1), and lycopene content (145.92 µg g−1) were obtained by inoculation with TGsR-03-04. Moreover, the highest yield (1.47 kg plant−1) was obtained by inoculation with TGsL-02-05. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of fruits per plant, fruit width, brix, and antioxidant activity when various inoculations of endophytic actinomycetes were applied. Therefore, the use of endophytic actinomycetes in tomato cultivation may be an alternative to increase tomato yield and yield quality.