Interaction Effects of Cultivars and Nutrition on Quality and Yield of Tomato

Tomato is considered the most important vegetable crop worldwide. Improving the nutritional value of fruits must be based on sustainable production in terms of varieties and fertilization management. This study aimed to improve the nutritional value (total soluble solids, acidity, lycopene, fi-carotene, polyphenols, macro and microelements) of two tomato varieties (' Cristal ' and ' Siriana ') under three fertilization types (NPK chemical fertilizer, chicken manure and biological fertilizer with microorganisms) for the greenhouse. Primary metabolism compounds do not vary significantly according to the type of fertilizer used. The results for the antioxidant compounds showed a better effect of biological fertilization compared to chemical fertilizer and control unfertilized. Thus, the antioxidant activity was improved by 28% compared to chemical fertilization, the lycopene content by 36% and fi-carotene by 96%, respectively. The tomato fruits from the local cultivar (' Siriana ') are richer in nutritional compounds such as rutin, regardless of the type of fertilization, which denotes a good ability to adapt to crop conditions. Tomato cultivars reacted positively to microbiological fertilization compared to chemical, thus producing nutritious fruits under sustainable management. Tomato fruits were richer in the quality of microelement contents.

Automated summary

This study aimed to improve the nutritional value of tomatoes by using different types of fertilization. It was found that biological fertilizer had a better effect on antioxidant activity, lycopene, and β-carotene content compared to chemical fertilizer. The results indicate that tomato cultivars react positively to microbiological fertilization and can produce nutritious fruits under sustainable management.