The effects of planting systems on soil biology and quality attributes of tomatoes

Alagoz G., Özer H.

ARCHIVES OF AGRONOMY AND SOIL SCIENCE, vol.65, no.3, pp.421-433, 2019 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 65 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/03650340.2018.1533246
  • Journal Name: ARCHIVES OF AGRONOMY AND SOIL SCIENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.421-433
  • Keywords: Grafted seedling, microbial biomass-C, non-grafted seedling, raised-bed, soil compaction, ENZYME-ACTIVITY, GREEN MANURE, YIELD, GROWTH, CROPS
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of seedling types (grafted and non-grafted) and different plantation systems (raised-bed and flat planting) on growth, yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Depar F1) plants organically grown in open-field conditions in Samsun. Soil microbial biomass-C increased by 25% and soil CO2 contents increased by 16% in raised-bed systems. It was observed that soil microbial biomass-C positively correlated with CO2 contents, leaf chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and yield (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with soil compaction. The highest chlorophyll content (47.37 CCI), fruit shape index (1.21) and yield (1.95 kg plant(-1)) were obtained from grafted seedlings of the raised-bed planting systems. The highest stomatal conductance (118.50 mmol m(-2) s(-1)) and firmness (79.34%) were obtained from non-grafted seedlings of the raised-bed planting systems. As a result, successful tomato cultivation was carried out with the use of raised-bed and grafted seedlings. However, non-grafted seedlings of the raised-beds had higher yield and quality values than the grafted seedlings of the flat planting.