Effect of Biostimulant Formulation on Yield, Quality, and Nitrate Accumulation in <i>Diplotaxis tenuifolia</i> Cultivars Under Different Weather Conditions

Perennial wall rocket (<i>Diplotaxis tenuifolia</i> L.—DC.) exhibits genotype-dependent responses to biostimulant applications, which have not yet been deeply investigated. A two-year greenhouse factorial experiment was carried out to assess the interactions between five cultivars (Mars,...

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Main Authors: Alessio Vincenzo Tallarita, Rachael Simister, Lorenzo Vecchietti, Eugenio Cozzolino, Vasile Stoleru, Otilia Cristina Murariu, Roberto Maiello, Giuseppe Cozzolino, Stefania De Pascale, Gianluca Caruso
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8620
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Summary:Perennial wall rocket (<i>Diplotaxis tenuifolia</i> L.—DC.) exhibits genotype-dependent responses to biostimulant applications, which have not yet been deeply investigated. A two-year greenhouse factorial experiment was carried out to assess the interactions between five cultivars (Mars, Naples, Tricia, Venice, and Olivetta), three biostimulant formulations (<i>Cystoseira tamariscifolia</i> L. extract; a commercial legume-derived protein hydrolysate, “Dynamic”; and <i>Spirulina platensis</i> extract) plus an untreated control, and three crop cycles (autumn, autumn–winter, and winter) on leaf yield and dry matter, organic acids, colorimetric parameters, hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities, nitrate concentration, nitrogen use efficiency, and mineral composition, using a split plot design with three replicates. Protein hydrolysate significantly enhanced yield and nitrogen use efficiency in Mars (+26%), Naples (+25.6%), Tricia (+25%), and Olivetta (+26%) compared to the control, while <i>Spirulina platensis</i> increased the mentioned parameters only in Venice (+36.2%). Nitrate accumulation was reduced by biostimulant application just in Venice, indicating genotype-dependent nitrogen metabolism responses. The findings of the present research demonstrate that the biostimulant efficacy in perennial wall rocket is mainly ruled by genotypic factors, and the appropriate combinations between the two mentioned experimental factors allow for optimization of leaf yield and quality while maintaining nitrate concentration under the regulation thresholds.
ISSN:2076-3417