The Influence of Different Organic Fertilizers on Yield and Physico-Chemical Properties of Organically Grown Tomato

The use of adequate organic fertilization is necessary to promote organic crop production. Organic nutrient sources including compost, manure, compost extract, and authorized fertilizers could be combined and used in order to achieve a balanced nutrient supply and an improved organic tomato yield and quality. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of different organic fertilizer treatments on fruit yield and the physico-chemical properties of two field tomato cultivars. The three treatments used were CODA: codahumus 20; COMP: 40 t ha^-1 of mixed compost (50% olive husk + 30% horse manure + 20% poultry manure) + mixed compost extract + codahumus 20; and MIX: 20 t ha-1 sheep manure + 20 t ha^-1 mixed compost + mixed compost extract + codahumus 20. Total and marketable yields of the two tomato cultivars were greater for the COMP and MIX treatments compared to the CODA treatment. However, tomato physico-chemical properties were not affected by the different organic fertilizer treatments. Organic tomato yield and quality obtained in this experiment were generally satisfactory and comparable to those usually obtained in conventionally grown systems. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]