Polymer fertilizer and the fertigation of grape tomatoes in protected cultivation

Abstract

Efficient fertilization alternatives are needed in protected environments that do not cause soil salinization, as with fertigation. Thus, it is important to advance knowledge with new technologies to meet these lacks. Hence, the objective was to compare the use efficiency of polymer fertilizer to fertigation for a tomato cultivar, the Milla cultivar (grape tomato type). The experiment was conducted in a protected environment, with seedlings transplanted to areas along surface drip lines, with a randomized block experimental design consisting of two treatments with six replications. The evaluated treatments were controlled-release polymers (POL) and nutrient fertigation (FERT). Quantitative and qualitative parameters were evaluated, as well as the production of fresh and dry plant masses in each treatment. Monitoring the electrical conductivity in the soil ensured that the POL treatment maintained crop nutrition throughout the experiment by an average of 0.68 dS m − 1. In addition, Tukey's test at 5% showed any significant difference in the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the fruits between the types of fertilization. Thus, we concluded the polymer fertilizer met the nutritional demand of the grape tomato plants and can replace fertigation in a protected environment without compromising productivity.