Tomato Yield Research Articles

The Impact of Agrivoltaic Systems on Tomato Crop: A Case Study in Southern Italy

Agrivoltaics, a system combining the production of agricultural crops and solar energy on the same land area, offers a potential solution to land use competition between different sectors. However, concerns have been raised regarding the impact of shade on plant growth under Agrivoltaic Systems (AVSs). Numerous studies have explored the effects of AVSs shading on agricultural crops. However, most of these studies focused on shade-tolerant crops, leaving a gap in the understanding of how these systems affect shade-intolerant crops. To this end, this study was conducted in Bari, southern Italy, using two types of AVSs: conventional (Con) and semi-transparent (ST) panels. The objective was to assess the impacts of the different levels of shading on the tomato yield and fruit quality. Tomato cultivation occurred between May and August under various conditions: Con panels, ST panels, and Open Field. The results revealed that soil temperature decreased under both AVSs compared to in the open field conditions. However, the significant reduction in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), up to 43% in ST and 67% in Con, led to yield reductions ranging between 28% and 58% in ST and Con, respectively. Nonetheless, AVSs demonstrated their potential to reduce irrigation water demand by over 15% in ST and more than 20% in Con. Interestingly, the AVSs reduced fruit size but improved certain fruit quality attributes, such as titratable acidity, which is closely correlated with fruit flavour. These findings highlight the challenges of cultivating shade-intolerant crops under AVSs in a Mediterranean climate, while temperate, dry conditions may offer more favourable prospects for agricultural production.

INFLUENCE OF THE METHOD OF FORMATION OF PLANTS ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDETERMINANT HYBRID OF TOIVO F1

The study examined the effectiveness of different methods of plant formation when growing tomatoes. Tomatoes are one of the leading vegetable crops, both in the world and in Ukraine. Compared to other types of vegetables, they have the largest cultivated area in the world. Tomato production deserves special attention. Their volume in the overall structure of vegetable production is the largest. After all, consumer demand for tomatoes and their processed products has increased by almost a third in the world over the past thirty years. Modern studies of tomato culture are diverse. Now much attention is paid to the improvement of cultivation technology. From a biological point of view, tomatoes are annual herbaceous plants with a very good ability to form shoots. This has led to numerous studies to increase production per plant and per area without sacrificing product quality. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of various methods of plant formation on biometric indicators and the yield of the hybrid of the indeterminate tomato Toivo F1. When conducting research, it was found that tomato plants show an increased response to growing conditions in the period from flowering to fruiting. The duration of the periods from the emergence of shoots and from the beginning of flowering to the beginning of mass fruiting was the shortest when plants were formed with an additional stem with pinching of the central stem above the fourth raceme. The effectiveness of the application of the studied technological methods in the analysis of the dynamics of the formation of yield by months of the fruiting period has been established. The research results show that in July the yield in the formation of a plant in two stems with pinching was 59.5% of the total yield. In the control and the variant with the formation of a plant in two stems, 35.4 and 35.8% of the total yield, respectively, were obtained during this period. The increase in the total yield of tomato when the plant was formed into two stems with pinching was 0.8-1.8 kg/m2 or 4.6-5.5% compared to other variants of the experiment.

Influence of Irrigation Levels on Morphological Attributes and Yield of Tomato under Current and Climate Change Conditions

Influence of Irrigation Levels on Morphological Attributes and Yield of Tomato under Current and Climate Change Conditions

English

Boron sources and doses can positively increase fruit quality and tomato yield. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of boron doses and sources on the development and yield of industrial tomatoes under irrigation. A randomized block design with four replications in a 3x4x2 factorial scheme was used. Three boron sources, boric acid, borax, and ulexite; four boron doses (0, 1, 2, and 3 kg/ha); and two locations, Goianésia, GO (AE I) and Vila Propício, GO (AE II) were evaluated. Stem diameter (SD), plant height (PH), the total number of fruits (TNF), the number of ripe fruits (NRF), the number of green fruits per plant (NGF), the number of lateral branches per plant (NLB), longitudinal fruit diameter (LFD), transversal fruit diameter (TFD), yield (YLD), total soluble solids content (°BRIX), pH, and titratable acidity (TA) were evaluated. There was no significant difference for the evaluated boron sources, while boron doses statistically influenced the increase in the TNF, NRF, °BRIX, and YLD. The dose of 1.23 kg ha-1 provided the highest values of ºBRIX (4.75%). The dose of 1.89 kg/ha provided the highest yield (119001.5 kg/ha), regardless of sources and locations. Boron sources did not significantly affect tomato crops, so both can be used for the study conditions

Effect of exogenous application of gibberellin on growth, fruit yield and quality of tomato

Effect of exogenous application of gibberellin on growth, fruit yield and quality of tomato

Effect of Nutrient Solution Concentration on Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Tomato Grown Hydroponically in Single-Truss Production System

Abstract The single-truss production system for tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a relatively new developed cultivation technology that guarantees high yields and high-quality fruit throughout the annual cycle. In this study, we examined the impact of electrical conductivity (EC) of nutrient solutions on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of tomatoes grown in a single-truss system in a hydroponic culture. Plants were supplied with nutrient solution at the following EC values: 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.4 mS·cm−1 in the spring and summer cycles, and at 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 mS·cm−1 in the winter cycle. In the spring cycle, the EC of the nutrient solution increased in all treatments, particularly after pinching the main stem. Increased EC values of nutrient solutions were also recorded at the 1.2 and 1.4 EC in the summer cycle and the 1.4 and 1.6 EC in the winter cycle. The leaf number per plant did not differ between treatments in all production cycles. The largest leaf area was found at the 1.2 and 1.4 EC in the spring cycle and the 1.0 and 1.2 EC during the summer. During the winter cycle, no differences in leaf area between treatments were observed. In spring, plants at the 1.2 and 1.4 EC had the highest yields and largest fruits, while during the summer, plants at the 1.0 and 1.2 EC produced the most fruit. In winter, the highest yield was found at the 1.4 EC. The soluble solids concentration (SSC) of fruit was increased at the 1.4 EC both in the spring and summer cycles, while in the winter cycle, there was no difference between the treatments. Only fruit at the 1.4 EC in the summer cycle had an increased acidity. The findings indicate that under greenhouse conditions, tomato cultivation in a single-truss system can be successful if the plants are supplied with a nutrient solution at an EC value of 1.2–1.4 mS·cm−1.

Site Factors Related to Dry Farm Vegetable Productivity and Quality in the Willamette Valley of Oregon

Dry farming has been defined as rainfed crop production in a climate with more than 20 inches of annual precipitation, but where most precipitation falls outside the growing season. Dry farming is garnering interest in the western United States because it allows farmers to produce crops despite a lack of access to irrigation or water rights or to eliminate the infrastructure, labor, and energy costs of irrigation systems. Sites have differing suitability for dry farming, and some sites that can be farmed with irrigation will perform poorly when dry-farmed. To determine site factors associated with dry farm yield and fruit quality, trials of ‘Early Girl’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and ‘North Georgia Candy Roaster’ winter squash (Cucurbita maxima) were conducted at 17 participant farms in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, USA, in 2018 and 2019. The mean blossom-end rot (BER) incidence was higher in the Willamette Valley than in coastal California; this was probably because of the Willamette Valley’s hotter and drier climate. Increasing the available water-holding capacity of soil, total available water (available water-holding capacity of the soil plus in-season rainfall), native productivity rating, soil pH (0–6 inches and 24–36 inches), soil nutrient concentrations (0–6 inches and 24–36 inches), and in-season rainfall were positively associated with at least one measure of tomato or winter squash yield, fruit number, or average fruit weight. An earlier planting date was positively associated with winter squash total yield and total fruit number in 2019. The water-limited yield potential (the total yield potential if water was the only limiting factor) for 20-ft2/plant plots was estimated to be 2.2 tons/acre per inch for tomato and 2.8 tons/acre per inch for winter squash. In 2019, high-density plantings (20 ft2/plant) had higher tomato and winter squash mean total yields, mean total fruit numbers, and mean tomato unblemished yield than low-density plantings (40 ft2/plant). In 2019, planting tomato at 20 ft2/plant decreased the mean BER incidence by 15.6% when compared with planting tomato at 40 ft2/plant.

Efficient Solar-Powered IoT Drip Irrigation for Tomato Yield and Quality: An Evaluation of the Effects of Irrigation and Fertilizer Frequency

The optimal management of irrigation and fertilization is crucial for maximizing the yield and quality of tomatoes grown in greenhouses. To address this challenge, this study aimed to develop and implement a solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT) based drip irrigation system for tomato cultivation in plastic roof net houses. Additionally, the study evaluated the effects of water and fertilizer frequency on tomato yield and quality. The experiment was designed with 2 irrigation frequencies (1 time in a day and 1 time in 2 days) and 3 fertilizer frequencies (1 time in 2, 4, and 6 days), with 4 replicates of the tomato variety CH154. The results showed that the solar-powered IoT-based drip irrigation system was efficient, precise in water and fertilizer control, and inexpensive to install and maintain. This allows for real-time monitoring of water flow rate, flow sensor status, treatment status, and electrical parameters on the Node-Red dashboard. Irrigation frequency had a significant impact (p < 0.05) on fruit number, weight, and length per plant, with 1-day irrigation resulting in a higher yield than 2-day irrigation. No significant interaction effect was found between irrigation and fertilizer frequency on tomato yield or quality. In conclusion, the solar-powered IoT-based drip irrigation system demonstrated precise control over water and fertilizer, proving its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Real-time monitoring capabilities and the observed impact of irrigation frequency underscore its potential for enhancing tomato cultivation in greenhouses, offering a valuable contribution to sustainable and technology-driven agricultural practices.

Climatological approaches of irrigation scheduling for growing tomato crop under drip irrigation in sub-tropical region of Punjab

A field experiment was conducted at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab for two years (2022 and 2023) to study the response of tomato crop to drip irrigation scheduling based on climatological approach viz. Penman-Monteith, Blaney-Criddle and pan evaporation. Result revealed that, the all treatments of irrigation scheduling were found feasible for optimizing tomato yield (30.8 to 44.6 t ha-1), water saving (27 to 50.7%) and water use efficiency (1.31 to 1.61 t ha-1-cm) under drip irrigation over soil moisture depletion approach. In selected region the average daily ET0 (4.4 to 9 mm day-1) and ETC (2.5 to 10.8 mm day-1) varies with different growth stages and results varying crop water demand of tomato. This water demand can successfully meet out by applying water at 100 % ET0 based on Penman-Monteith method with significant crop yield (44.6 t ha-1) and water use efficiency (1.33 t ha-1-cm). Correlation analysis indicated that, in case of other regions where the availability of weather parameters will be limited for irrigation scheduling, the farmer could irrigate their tomato crop at 90% ET0 based on daily pan evaporation method under drip irrigation. In selected region, the Blaney-Criddle method was found ineffective and shows under and overestimated values of daily ETo during mid stage and late stage which gives more water saving (up to 51%) but reduces significant tomato yield over Pan Evaporation method.

Impact of soil amendment using indigenous inoculants on tomato growth and yield parameters

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill) is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world. It is widely acknowledged that using composts and microbial inoculants as soil amendments, rather than industrialized fertilizer and raw manure, could improve soil nutrients, promote soil health and consequently improve crop yields. Global population increase necessitates increasing crop yields. Improvement and maintenance of soil fertility is essential via bio-augmentation in this economic recovery era. In this work, an open field experiment was conducted in other to study the "Yield Effects of Indigenous Microbial Inoculants on Tomato using autochthonous microbial consortia”. The experiment was laid in Randomized complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicate consisted of six inoculants samples; Indigenous cultures viz; (A) Control, (B)Bacillus mucilaginosus (C) Azospirillum sp., (D) Azotobacter sp. (E) Commercial strains of the inoculants (F) Consortium of B, C and D. The various morphological features/yields parameters measured at intervals includes; no. of leaves, plant height, root length, accumulated dry matter and average fruit weight. The result shows that indigenous inoculants (F) increased tomato overall yield. This research is also of great significance for the development of management strategies for soil maintenance, environmental protection, and resource conservation in Nigeria where soil fertility is on the decrease due to over-use of land in other to achieve food security. From the result of the research, it can be concluded that soil augmentation with indigenous inoculants improves tomato morphological features and yields, hence should be preferred above their exotic commercial strain counterparts because of cost of importation/indigenous product development and GDP growth.

Productivity of Cherry Tomato Cultivars as Influenced by Watering Capacities and Microclimate Control Designs

Background: Cherry tomatoes remain relatively expensive due to limited public knowledge, few producers, and lower productivity rates in Indonesia. Although cherry tomatoes are increasingly popular in modern marketplaces, they are still uncommon in traditional markets. Cherry tomatoes have an enormous economic impact on many regions, particularly Indonesia, in the broader agricultural environment. Their cultivation, however, may be impacted by problems with water supply and climatic regulation. By evaluating how various watering capacity and microclimate control strategies affect cherry tomato productivity, this study seeks to address these challenges. The research is anticipated to offer farmers and agricultural practitioners useful information to improve cherry tomato output in response to market demands and sustainability concerns. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the effect of cultivars on the growth, yield, and quality of cherry tomatoes. Methods: The research is designed to determine the effect of each cultivar (Ruby, Fortesa), watering capacities (100% ETc, 75% ETc, 50% ETc), and microclimate control designs (Greenhouse, Rain shelter, Screen house) on the growth, yield, and quality of cherry tomatoes. Results: The cultivar Fortesa produced the highest possible fruit, biological yield per plant, maximum marketable fruit output, greater growth index, maximum fruit firmness, and water use efficiency. The cultivar Ruby performed better in terms of root-shoot ratio and fruit elasticity. The greenhouse produced the highest possible fruit and biological yield per plant, marketable fruit yield, growth index, leaf chlorophyll content, fruit firmness, elasticity and water use efficiency. In the watering capacities treatment condition, 100% ETC was more significant for parameters, such as marketable fruit yield, root-shoot ratio, growth index, leaf chlorophyll content, fruit firmness, and elasticity. Conclusion: Growing cherry tomato cultivar Fortesa in a greenhouse using a watering capacity of 100% ETc under the results is recommended. These conditions have improved fruit quality, making them favorable options for successful cherry tomato cultivar production.

The joint application of biochar and nitrogen enhances fruit yield, quality and water-nitrogen productivity of water-stressed greenhouse tomato under drip fertigation

The biochar application has been reported to have a positive effect on crop yield and nutrient utilization. However, the effects of the joint application of biochar and nitrogen (N) on soil physical properties, fruit yield, quality, crop water productivity (WP) and partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN) of water-stressed greenhouse tomato under drip fertigation remain poorly understood. In this study, a two-season experiment was conducted on greenhouse tomato in autumn 2021 and spring 2022, involving two biochar application rates (0 and 30 t ha–1 only in the first season before sowing), two N fertilization rates (175 and 250 kg N ha–1), and three irrigation levels (100%, 75%, and 50% of crop evapotranspiration). The results showed that biochar application significantly decreased soil bulk density by 7–13%, but significantly increased soil porosity by 5.5%− 10% and fruit yield by 43.2–73.8% compared with the non-biochar treatment. The biochar application significantly affected the total soluble solids (TSS), soluble sugar (SS), and vitamin C of tomato fruits. The interaction of biochar application and N fertilization increased PFPN and WP by 67.4% and 76.3% in autumn 2021, and by 38.1% and 51.8% in spring 2022, respectively. Biochar rate and irrigation level had significant effects on TSS and SS contents in both seasons, but N rate significantly affected TSS in autumn 2021 only and SS in both seasons. The interaction of biochar application, N rate and irrigation level had significant effects on fruit yield. The effects of biochar rate, N rate, and irrigation level on PFPN were significant in both growing seasons. The joint application of biochar and nitrogen significantly enhanced fruit yield, quality and water-nitrogen productivity of water-stressed greenhouse tomato. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that PC1 accounted for 47.7% and 48%of the variation in autumn 2021 and spring 2022, while PC2 accounted for 14.6% and 15.6% in autumn 2021 and spring 2022, respectively. This study underscores the significance of biochar application in drip-fertigated greenhouse tomato cultivation and highlights its sustained positive effects in the next growing season.

Effects of different water and nitrogen treatments on greenhouse tomato yield, water use efficiency, and physiological responses

Effects of different water and nitrogen treatments on greenhouse tomato yield, water use efficiency, and physiological responses

Potential Use of Postharvest Tomato Wastes as a Growing Media in Soilless Culture

Recycling postharvest tomato wastes will reduce the carbon footprints of greenhouse facilities. This study investigated the effects of tomato postharvest waste as a growing medium (TSW; tomato stalk waste and PTSW; pretreated tomato stalk waste) in soilless culture on tomato growth, development, yield and quality. Tomato wastes were compared with cocopeat and peat-perlite mixture media and economic analyses were made for potential use of tomato waste as a growing medium. The highest stomatal conductance (138.7 mmol m−2 s−1), average fruit weight (86.7 g), yield (3.96 kg plant−1) and soluble solids content (SSC; 4.8%) values were obtained from the cocopeat medium. PTSW, cocopeat and peat + perlite media yielded similar stomatal conductance values. The best fruit skin color values (hue; 0.54) were obtained from peat + perlite medium. The highest titratable acidity (4.9 g citric acid 100 mL−1) and vitamin C (21.7 mg 100 g−1) values were obtained from the TSW medium. PTSW (Pretreated tomato waste) had similar yield and quality traits with commercial growing media. It was concluded that PTSW was better than other growing media.

Effect of Regulated Deficit Irrigation on the Growth, Yield, and Irrigation Water Productivity of Processing Tomatoes under Drip Irrigation and Mulching

The application of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategies with high water-saving effects for processing tomatoes is an important current research trend. In this study, we aimed to reveal the patterns of growth, yield, and irrigation water productivity (WPI) in response to the water deficit in processing tomatoes under drip irrigation and plastic mulching in Xinjiang. To determine a more precise irrigation regime, various degrees of RDI treatments were applied to processing tomatoes in 2022 and 2023. A total of five water gradients were set up: RI (Regular Irrigation; 4500 m3/ha), W1 (4185 m3/ha), W2 (3870 m3/ha), W3 (3555 m3/ha), and W4 (3240 m3/ha). The results revealed that under RI, the yield and irrigation water productivity were 142 t/ha and 31.49 kg/m3, respectively. Compared with RI, W1 exhibited an increase in yield and irrigation water productivity of 12.13% and 22.39%, respectively; however, other treatments exhibited a decrease. The main reasons for the increase in yield under the W1 treatment were: the W1 treatment, improved photosynthetic performance, increased dry matter accumulation, and improved soil moisture conditions, thus promoting plant growth and development. In addition, in terms of water regulation at various fertility stages, moderate water deficiency at the seedling stage (S), flowering stage (F), and maturity stage (M) and rewatering at the fruit expansion stage (E) were more conducive to optimizing the yield structure. In conclusion, considering plant growth status, dry matter accumulation, yield, and WPI, we suggested that the W1 treatment is the optimal RDI mode most suitable for drip irrigation under mulching for processing tomatoes in Xinjiang. This study provided a theoretical and technical basis for the promotion of “water-saving and efficiency-enhancing” production of processing tomatoes.

Impact of membership in agricultural cooperatives on yield of smallholder tomato farmers in Nigeria

Tomatoes are one of the most significant fruit and vegetable crops in Nigeria. This could be ascribed to the fact that it helps many farmers support their way of life and improve their financial status. However, due to ineffective production management techniques, restrictions on the supply of pesticides and fungicides, access to information, market fluctuations, and crop shelf life, the yield of tomatoes is low. There is a need for powerful institutions like agricultural cooperatives to increase tomato yield. Agricultural cooperatives have been promoted in Nigeria as an agricultural development strategy that will increase crop yield and farmer income. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of membership in agricultural cooperatives on the yields of smallholder tomato farmers in rural Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure is used to collect data for the study. The Endogenous Treatment Regression model was used to analyze the data. According to the findings of the first regression (Probit regression), age, years of formal education, main occupation, years of farming experience, farm size, years of experience in tomato farming, aged dependents, distance to market, access to credit service and access to extension service have a positive and significant impact on the membership of farmers in the agricultural cooperative. The results of the endogenous treatment regression model reveal marital status, age, years of formal education, years of informal education, main occupation, years of farming experience, farm size, years of tomato farming, aged dependents, distance to market, access to credit services, cost of processing, access to extension service and agricultural cooperative membership are all statistically significant variables influencing tomato yield. According to the ATE estimate, the average farmer would produce 9.159 times more when he/she joined an agricultural cooperative. The conditional treatment effect (ATT), which assesses the impact of membership in agricultural cooperatives on tomato yield, was correspondingly approximately 9.447 and statistically significant at 1%. As a result, the typical farmer who is a member of an agricultural cooperative would produce a yield that is 9.447 times more than it would be if he/she was not a member of an agricultural cooperative. The study found that membership in agricultural cooperatives has a positive impact on tomato yield among smallholder farmers in rural Nigeria in contrast to what it would have been in the absence of being a member of agricultural cooperatives after adjusting for both observable and unobserved factors. Tomatoes farmers must be encouraged to join an agricultural cooperative to boost their yield.

Effect of the Interaction of Nutrient Sources on the Growth, Yield and Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

The present field investigation was conducted in the years 2021 and 2022 at Horticultural Farm, Faculty of Agriculture Science & Technology, Mansarovar Global University, Sehore (Madhya Pradesh). The experiment was carried out to find out the interaction effect of various sources of nutrients on the growth, yield, and quality of tomatoes. The study comprised a total of 16 different treatment combinations of inorganic plant nutrients; biofertilizers included a control. It was found that the application of treatment T8 (Azotobacter 1 kg/ha + 120kg N2 + 60kg P2O5) recorded significantly higher growth attributes (number of branches per plant), days to first flowering, and days to first picking crop duration than the control. It has been determined that the maximum yield of 409.82 q ha-1 was recorded in treatment T8, followed by treatment T12 (Azospirillum 1 kg/ha + 120 kg N2 + 60 kg P2O5) and T16 total yields of 394.74 q ha-1 and 361.91 ha-1. The maximum TSS of 5.45 °brix was recorded in treatment T12 (Azospirillum 1 kg/ha + 120 kg N2 + 60 kg P2O5), followed by treatment T8 (Azotobacter 1 kg/ha + 120 kg N2 + 60 kg P2O5) over the control. The ascorbic acid content of 33.56 mg per 100 ml of juice was recorded in treatment T7 (Azotobacter 1 kg/ha + 80 kg N2+ 40 kg P2O5), followed by treatment T11 (Azospirillum 1 kg/ha + 80 kg N2+ 40 kg P2O5) over treatment T1 (Control). The results obtained during the investigation with different combinations of nutrient sources of inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers on the growth, yield, and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Hence, it is concluded that application of biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers with the combination significantly effect on growth parameters, yield attributing characters and fruit quality characters also significantly affected were maximum in Azotobacter 1 kg/ha + 120 kg Nitrogen + 60 kg Phosphorus.

Nano and chelated iron fertilization influences marketable yield, phytochemical properties, and antioxidant capacity of tomatoes.

Iron (Fe) is one of the limiting micronutrients essential for crop productivity. The goal of our study was to evaluate the effects of different sources and rates of Fe fertilization on the marketable yield, physical and chemical properties, and phytochemical quality of fresh market tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum L., cv. Sunbrite). A factorial experiment under a drip-irrigated plasticulture system was conducted in a completely randomized design with two sources of Fe (nano vs. chelated) and four rates of application (0, 10, 20, and 40 mg/L) with four replications. Results indicated that relative chlorophyll concentration in the leaf (SPAD index) increased significantly (by 24 to 27%) with 10 and 20 mg/L of both nano- and chelated Fe fertilization compared to the control. Increasing Fe fertilization decreased the leaf SPAD readings. The total fruit yield of tomato was 1.6 to 1.8 times higher under the chelated- and nano Fe fertilization and the increase in yield was significantly higher under the chelated Fe fertilization, when compared to the control. In contrast, the tomato harvest index was highest under 10 and 20 mg/L of nano Fe than under other Fe treatments. While the chelated Fe fertilized tomatoes had significantly higher concentrations of vitamin C (34%), ß-carotene (6%), total carotene (25%), flavonoid (17%), and polyphenol (66%), the nano Fe, in contrast, increased ß-carotene, total carotene, and polyphenol concentrations by 25, 33, 51, and 7%, respectively, compared to the control. The 20 mg/L chelated Fe significantly increased the vitamin C, total carotene, flavonoid, polyphenol concentration, and antioxidant capacity more than any other Fe treatments. Based on the principal components analyses, vitamin C, lycopene, and anthocyanin were identified as the core indicators of the tomato nutrition quality index (NQIndex). The NQIndex ranged from 47 to 54, falling within the medium level of nutritional quality (40 to <70). In conclusion, the chelated Fe, when applied at 20 mg/L, was the most appropriate rate based on highly correlated connectivity for the phytochemicals syntheses associated with the improved tomato antioxidant capacity.

RESPONSE OF SNAKE TOMATO (Tricosanthes cucumerina) TO DIFFERENT FERTILIZER SOURCES IN SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA ZONE OF NIGERIA

Snake tomato is gaining popularity due to its nutritional, medicinal and health benefits. Its production is constrained by depleting soil fertility. Recently, there is increased interest in organic food owing to health and environmental benefits. Thus, an experiment on growth and yield of snake tomato as affected by fertilizer sources was conducted at Ponyan and Kabba during the 2019 cropping season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of the control, residues from maize, guinea corn and spear grass, residues from soybean, cowpea and black bean, residues from cocoa and kola, pig manure, goat manure, cow dung manure and NPK plus B fertilizer. Data were taken on vine length, number of leaves, vine girth, days to 50% flowering, fruit length, fruit girth, number of seeds/fruit, fresh fruit weight, marketable fruits, non-marketable fruits and fruit yield (t/ha). Analysis of variance results indicated that plants treated with NPK plus B fertilizer significantly (P&lt;0.05) recorded the longest vine, more number of leaves and branches. It also produced more fruits, longest fruit and heaviest fruits. Number of seeds/plant and marketable fruits were more in animal base manure. It is pertinent to know that non-marketable yield was highest in NPK plus B fertilizer. Contrarily, NPK plus B fertilizer increased yield, although statistically similar to animal base manure. Therefore, considering the benefits of organic manure on health and the environment, animal manure applied at 10 t/ha is recommended for snake tomato production in the study area

Optimising water and nitrogen management for greenhouse tomatoes in Northeast China using EWM−TOPSIS−AISM model

Unreasonable irrigation and nitrogen application reduce tomato yield and waste resources. This study explored the effects of water conservation and nitrogen reduction on tomato yield, dry matter, quality, water productivity and nitrogen use efficiency in Northeast China. Experiments were conducted during 2020 and 2021 at three irrigation levels (85–95 %, 75–85 %, and 65–75 % θFC) and three nitrogen application levels (120, 180, and 240 kg hm−2). The optimal water and nitrogen supply patterns were obtained by establishing a newly evaluated Entropy Weight Method−Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution−Adversarial Interpretive Structure Model (EWM−TOPSIS−AISM). The results showed that the amount of irrigation and nitrogen application significantly affected tomato quality (P ≤ 0.5). Proper deficit irrigation improved tomato quality. Reducing the nitrogen application rate improved nitrogen use efficiency but decreased the tomato yield. Increasing the amount of irrigation increased tomato yield and nitrogen use efficiency. Tomato yield was negatively correlated with water productivity (R= −0.25 in 2020 and R= −0.37 in 2021) and nitrogen use efficiency (R= −0.30 in 2020 and R= −0.20 in 2021). The evaluation results showed that the best water and nitrogen supply mode for our experiment was irrigation at 75–85 % θFC and nitrogen application rate of 180 kg hm−2. The study could promote the sustainable production of greenhouse tomatoes in Northeast China.