Effect of Organic Residues as Fertilizer on Postharvest Quality of Cherry Tomatoes

Abstract Composting of domestic residues to replace cattle manure was evaluated as a fertilization option for the cherry tomato crop. Two sources of organic compounds (CO) were used to prepare compost piles: Domestic residues (DR) and bovine manure (BM), used in 5 proportions (CO1 = 15% DR + 15% BM, CO2 = 10% DR + 20% BM, CO3 = 20% DR + 10% BM, CO4 = 30% BM (control) and CO5 = 30% DR). To compost the compost piles, the organic waste (carbon source) was mixed with remnants of tree pruning (filler) from the urban cleaning service in a ratio of 1: 3. After 90 days, the compost from each matured pile was mixed with 1: 1 coconut fiber substrate and filled into 15 L plastic bags where the cherry tomato plants were grown. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using the experimental design of randomized blocks with 5 treatments and 5 replicates (6 fruits per sample). The organic fertilization in the proportions of manure and food residue did not provide statistically significant differences in soluble solids, total sugars, lycopene, β-carotene and micronutrients Zn, Fe, N and P in cherry tomato fruits. Fertilization with CO1 and CO2 increased AT, Mn and decreased the SS / AT, K and Ca ratio. There was no nutritional deficiency of tomatoes in any of the proportions of the organic residues studied.