YIELD AND NUTRACEUTICAL QUALITY OF TOMATO FRUIT PRODUCED WITH NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS PREPARED USING ORGANIC MATERIALS

Abstract

Increasing public concern about negative environmental effects of agricultural practices like conventional chemical fertilization has promoted the evaluation of alternatives like the use of organic nutrient solutions. This study evaluated the effect on fruit yield and commercial and nutraceutical qualities of fresh tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits grown under greenhouse conditions fertilized with nutrient solutions prepared from organic materials. Treatments were: a) Inorganic nutritive solution (Steiner); b) Compost tea; c) Vermicompost tea; and d) Vermicompost leachate. Highest fruit yield derived from fertilization with inorganic solution. However, highest antioxidant capacity, soluble solids content and phenolic content were obtained with organic nutrient solutions. Fresh tomatoes obtained with vermicompost leachate had the best nutraceutical quality, higher phenolic content and higher antioxidant capacity, than the inorganically fertilized fruits. Vermicompost leachate is a feasible fertilization alternative for tomato production under greenhouse conditions.