Results
Title

Improving marketable yield and phytochemical characteristics of N-fertilized tomato fruits with soil organic amendments through Azolla.

Authors

Zeleke, Yenetiru Getaw; Haile, Ashenafi; Kiflu, Alemayehu; Alemayehu, Habtamu; Haile, Wassie

Abstract

There is a growing demand for organic vegetable products. Increasing the marketable yield and quality of tomatoes through the use of optimal organic and inorganic fertilizers is a critical agronomic measure for crop productivity and soil health. However, little is known about the effects of Azolla on tomato productivity, fruit quality and soil organic changes. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on marketable yield and quality characteristics of tomato fruits. A pot experiment was conducted with four concentrations of Azolla and nitrogen in a completely randomized design. The results showed that Azolla has the potential to replace nitrogen and has a significant impact on fruit quality. The interactions of Azolla and nitrogen on the number of clusters per plant, the number of flowers per cluster, the proportion of fruit set, the number of fruits per cluster and the marketable fruit yield were significant. It can be concluded that the combination of Azolla and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer linearly increased the marketable yield and quality of tomato fruits.

Subjects

SOIL amendments; TOMATOES; NITROGEN fertilizers; FRUIT; ORGANIC fertilizers; CALCIUM chloride; SOIL productivity

Publication

International Journal of Vegetable Science, 2024, Vol 30, Issue 3, p294

ISSN

1931-5260

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1080/19315260.2024.2360580