BIOFERTILIZERS IN THE SUCCESSION Canavalia ensiformis - Solanum lycopersicum: YIELD AND QUALITY IN TOMATO FRUIT

Abstract

In recent years, positive results have been reported when using Canavalia ensiformis inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia as green manure; however, there is no previous information in this regard on tomato cultivation. In the Summer and Autumn cycles of 2019, an experiment was carried out in the San Antonio del Sur municipality, Guantánamo, Cuba, with the aim of evaluating the effect of Canavalia inoculated with rhizobium and AMF, as a preceding crop to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) var. HA33-29, including two times of tomato transplantation: 20 and 30 days. The experimental design used was a complete randomized block with eight treatments and three replications. The inocula used were the Can5 strain of rhizobium and Rhizoglomus irregulare of AMF. In Canavalia the aerial dry biomass and the content of macronutrient were determined at the beginning of flowering (70 days after sowing); at that moment it was cut off and incorporated into the soil. In tomato, frequency and intensity of mycorrhizal, yield and its components were determined along wth fruit quality based on pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and maturity index (TSS/ TA). The inoculation of Canavalia with rhizobium and AMF generated higher biomass production (14 %) and macronutrient content (8-18 %) as well as an increase in both yield and quality of the fruits in tomato, and a greater mycorrhizal functioning. The greatest effects were found when transplantation was carried out at 30 days, with a yield of 30.58 t ha^-1, which represents an increase of 58.86 % compared to the average of the region. Inoculated Canavalia was a feasible way to mycorrhize the tomato in succession and increase its yield and fruit quality.