Effects of organic liquid fertilizers on biological activities and fruit productivity in open-field cherry tomato

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of liquid fertilizers (LF) with farm-derived renewable resources on biological activities and chemical attributes of the soil and fruit in an open-field tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme) experiment conducted in South Korea in the 2019 growing season. The LF treatments included bone+fish meal (BF), fish+phosphoric acid (FP), sesame oil (SO), starfish (SF), nontreatment (NT) as control, and oil cake (OC) as an organic fertilizer, fertigating two times per week during the growing season. The pH in LF ranged between 7.4 and 8.3, and electrical conductivity in the LF was the highest on SF (0.69 dS•m-1), SO (0.64 dS•m-1), and BF (0.45 dS•m-1). Total amount of total-N supplied was the highest for SF (679 mg•plant-1), SO (654 mg), and BF (333 mg). The number of some invertebrates was increased by the BF and SF treatments. Earthworm biomass was significantly increased by the SF treatment. The NT and OC treatments reduced operational taxonomic units and the richness estimator of Chao1 and ACE. Seasonal SPAD and PS II values in the leaves were reduced on the FP-plants on 45 and 60 days after fertigation. The SF treatment increased fruit fresh weight and fruit yield to 4.2 kg per plant, with similar results observed for BF-treated plants. Fruit yield efficiency was improved by the BF treatment, followed by SO and SF among all the treatment. Starfish would be the promising LF for use as a supplemental nutrient amendment to increase agroecosystem health, nutrient availability, and fruit productivity.

Eco-Physiological Properties of Open-Field Cucumbers Responded to Organic Liquid Fertilizers

“…LNT plots showed decreasing numbers of OTUs and a richness estimator of Chao1 with respect to the bacterial community, although the Good's coverage and diversity were similar in all treatment plots (Table 3). The 69.5% of phylum were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria of the 16S rRNA gene sequence obtained from all the soil samples (Figure 2), which are the common phyla observed in the arable land [10,18,19]. Low nutrient accumulation and low soil pH increased Actinobacteria with relatively low competitiveness but reduced Proteobacteria [10,[19][20][21], which was observed on the LNT treatment plots.…”

“…The 69.5% of phylum were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria of the 16S rRNA gene sequence obtained from all the soil samples (Figure 2), which are the common phyla observed in the arable land [10,18,19]. Low nutrient accumulation and low soil pH increased Actinobacteria with relatively low competitiveness but reduced Proteobacteria [10,[19][20][21], which was observed on the LNT treatment plots. The number of invertebrates increased in the BF and SF treatment plots but decreased in LNT plots (Figure 3A),which was likely associated with the concentration of T-C and EC observed in the LF solutions.…”

“…Entomobryidae were observed the most in all the plots (Figure 3B), and are known as the primary decomposer and one of the most abundant invertebrates in S. Korea [22,23] and the most numerous meso-invertebrates in the forest floor [24][25][26]. Eco-friendly farm land provided alternative prey and shelters for insects of Trachelipodidae and Labiduridae [10] which were also observed in high numbers in all the plots.…”

“…Entomobryidae were observed the most in all the plots (Figure 3B), and are known as the primary decomposer and one of the most abundant invertebrates in S. Korea [22,23] and the most numerous meso-invertebrates in the forest floor [24][25][26]. Eco-friendly farm land provided alternative prey and shelters for insects of Trachelipodidae and Labiduridae [10] which were also observed in high numbers in all the plots. Amount of vegetation biomass increased in SF plots (Figure 4A), probably due to receiving greater mineral nutrients compared to the LF plots (Figure 1B), as observed on the previous our experiment plots [10].…”

“…The number of invertebrates increased in the BF and SF treatment plots but decreased in LNT plots (Figure 3A),which was likely associated with the concentration of T-C and EC observed in the LF solutions. High levels of fertilization increased populations of invertebrate herbivores living on plants in relation to the nutrient availability in the invertebrates or in the stressed plants [10,22]. Entomobryidae were observed the most in all the plots (Figure 3B), and are known as the primary decomposer and one of the most abundant invertebrates in S. Korea [22,23] and the most numerous meso-invertebrates in the forest floor [24][25][26].…”