<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The demand for organically grown products is increasing because many people are concerned about the environment and believe that organic products are healthier than conventional ones. Some studies have shown that organically produced tomato fruits contain higher levels of antioxidants, polyphenols and carotenoids than those produced conventionally. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of organic and inorganic fertilization on agronomic and quality characteristics of the processing tomato. The 2-year experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design, with three replications and three fertilization treatments (untreated, compost and inorganic fertilizer). The results showed that the highest fruit number per plant (98.5), average fruit weight (63.6 g) and fruit yield (168.0 t ha−1) were obtained under inorganic fertilization. The highest total soluble solids (4.39 °Brix) and total soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (17.4), <italic>L</italic>* (43.4) and <italic>a</italic>* (35.4) values, as well as the highest lycopene content (88.5 mg kg−1 f.w). were achieved through the application of organic fertilizer. Significantly higher total soluble solids and total soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio in organically grown tomatoes are particularly important to the processing tomato industry. Finally, the highest lycopene content produced under organic fertilization as well as the non-significant difference between the organic and conventional tomatoes in terms of lycopene yield make organic processing tomatoes suitable for lycopene production.</abstract>

The demand for organically grown products is increasing because many people are concerned about the environment and believe that organic products are healthier than conventional ones. Some studies have shown that organically produced tomato fruits contain higher levels of antioxidants, polyphenols and carotenoids than those produced conventionally. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of organic and inorganic fertilization on agronomic and quality characteristics of the processing tomato. The 2-year experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design, with three replications and three fertilization treatments (untreated, compost and inorganic fertilizer). The results showed that the highest fruit number per plant (98.5), average fruit weight (63.6 g) and fruit yield (168.0 t ha−1) were obtained under inorganic fertilization. The highest total soluble solids (4.39 °Brix) and total soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (17.4), L* (43.4) and a* (35.4) values, as well as the highest lycopene content (88.5 mg kg−1 f.w). were achieved through the application of organic fertilizer. Significantly higher total soluble solids and total soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio in organically grown tomatoes are particularly important to the processing tomato industry. Finally, the highest lycopene content produced under organic fertilization as well as the non-significant difference between the organic and conventional tomatoes in terms of lycopene yield make organic processing tomatoes suitable for lycopene production.

Effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on yield and quality of processing tomato (<italic>Lycopersicon esculentum</italic> Mill.)

Department of Crop Science, School of Agriculture, Engineering and Environmental Sciences

Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design

School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens

Folia Horticulturae

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on yield and quality of processing tomato ( Mill.)

The demand for organically grown products is increasing because many people are concerned about the environment and believe that organic products are healthier...

Effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on yield and quality of processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Pubblicato online: 14 dic 2018

Pagine: 321 - 332

Ricevuto: 05 dic 2017

Accettato: 15 giu 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fhort-2018-0027

Parole chiave
compost, Heinz 3402 F, lycopene, surface colour, total soluble solids

© 2018 Dimitrios Bilalis et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on yield and quality of processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Pubblicato online: 14 dic 2018

Pagine: 321 - 332

Ricevuto: 05 dic 2017

Accettato: 15 giu 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fhort-2018-0027

Parole chiavecompost, Heinz 3402 F, lycopene, surface colour, total soluble solids

© 2018 Dimitrios Bilalis et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Parole chiave
compost, Heinz 3402 F, lycopene, surface colour, total soluble solids