Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interaction effects of winter cover crops (hairy vetch, subclover and black oat) and a bare soil, cover crop biomass management (incorporated into the soil or left on the soil surface as death mulch), and nitrogen (N) fertilization level (0, 75 and 150 kg ha−1 of N) on fruit yield and fruit quality parameters of processing tomato. Hairy vetch residues increased the yield (+57%), color index (+8%) and sugar/acidity ratio (+7%) of marketable tomato fruits compared to bare soil regardless of cover crop biomass management. Black oat residues determined a poor marketable yield, especially in tilled soil (on average, −26%, compared to bare soil) and they had a tendentially negative effect on some parameters of tomato quality (high firmness and titratable acidity, low color index and pH). Subclover residues, when incorporated into the soil, determined similar marketable fruit yield to bare soil, although they had a more favorable effect on the color parameters of tomato fruits. The increasing of the N fertilization level from 0 kg ha−1 of N to 150 kg ha−1 of N always positively influenced the tomato yield and fruit characteristics. The results suggest that hairy vetch, compared to other cover crops, had a positive influence on tomatoes and it could be part of an environmentally friendly management package for sustainable tomato cultivation in Mediterranean conditions.
Highlights
Tomato is a major component of the Mediterranean diet and it is recognized as one of the most important vegetables for human nutrition due to its content of bioactive compounds, in particular minerals, vitamins, organic acids, and antioxidants [1]
Marketable tomato fruit amounts were similar in hairy vetch and bare soil regardless of soil tillage, while in subclover it was higher in tilled soil than no tilled soil; in black oat it was higher in NT compared to T treatments (Figure 1)
This study improved our understanding of the adoption of different winter cover crop species, soil tillage management strategies and N fertilization levels, and their effect on the tomato fruit yield and quality characteristics
Summary
Tomato is a major component of the Mediterranean diet and it is recognized as one of the most important vegetables for human nutrition due to its content of bioactive compounds, in particular minerals, vitamins, organic acids, and antioxidants [1]. Regarding the processing tomato quality in response to agronomical conventional management practices, there are many studies, but the effects of conservation practices, such as the use of cover crops in combination with reduced soil tillage, should be identified in order to establish a feasible management package for sustainable tomato cultivation. This study hypothesized that the adoption of different winter cover crop species, soil tillage management and N fertilization level could differently affect the tomato fruit characteristics under Mediterranean conditions. The main objectives were (i) to evaluate the interaction effects of winter cover crops, soil tillage management and N fertilization level on fruit yield and fruit quality traits of processing tomatoes, (ii) to identify an environmentally friendly management practice to produce tomato under Mediterranean conditions
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