Greenhouse Soil Biosolarization with Tomato Plant Debris as a Unique Fertilizer for Tomato Crops

Abstract

Intensive greenhouse horticulture can cause various environmental problems. Among these, the management, storage, and processing of crop residues can provoke aquifer contamination, pest proliferation, bad odors, or the abuse of phytosanitary treatments. Biosolarization adds value to any fresh plant residue and is an efficient technique for the control of soil-borne diseases. This study aims to examine an alternative means of managing greenhouse crop residues through biosolarization and to investigate the influence of organic matter on yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, L.) fruit. With this purpose, the following nutritional systems were evaluated: inorganic fertilization with and without brassica pellets (Fert, Fert +, and Fert ++), fresh tomato plant debris with and without brassica pellets (Rest, Rest +, and Rest ++), and no fertilizer application (Control). The addition of organic matter was equal across all the treatments except for the control with regard to yield and quality of the tomato fruit. In light of these results, the application of tomato plant debris to the soil through biosolarization is postulated as an alternative for the management of crop residues, solving an environmental problem and having a favorable impact on the production and quality of tomatoes as a commercial crop.

The Management of Agriculture Plastic Waste in the Framework of Circular Economy. Case of the Almeria Greenhouse (Spain)

“…It is present in the covering and natural ventilation systems of greenhouses, irrigation equipment and active climate control, agricultural inputs and disinfection processes. It is also used in auxiliary structures such as irrigation ponds and the marketing of the goods [18,22,[59][60][61][63][64][65][66][67][70][71][72]. The determination of the generation period of this tyspe of waste is established by the crop cycles with a productive seasonality due to their intrinsic characteristics [73,74] Specifically, it was estimated that around 90% of agricultural plastic waste is generated in the province of Almeria between August and September [18].…”

“…The addition of organic matter [102] or crop diversification [103] can prevent this phenomenon, thus reducing the need for plastic. Some authors have advocated for agricultural biomass as an alternative for organic amendments [57,60,102] or the cultivation of papaya (Carica papaya) as an option to decimate the low pluralization of plant species used in the Almeria model [105]. Likewise, the use of alternative plastics, biodegradable polymers in items such as chromotropic traps, trellising rings [22] or flower pots [106,107], or broader reuse in other agricultural inputs sucha s the packaging of phytosanitary products and fertilizers [18] could also be considered.…”

“…The implementation of this final option would largely depend on the resistance of the material due to the toxicity of the formulations that must be contained. The use of ultrasound emitters instead of adhesive traps [22] or a ring-free trellising methodology, where the plants are only guided through the trellising raffia [60], has also been considered.…”

“…enables farms to self-manage by incorporating them directly into the soil as raw materials for vermicompost or other types of organic fertilizers. These can act as a part of the nutrient source necessary for the crop [107,112,113] as one of the organic components used in soil biodisinfection processes (i.e., biofumigation or biosolarization) or other agricultural by-products, such as biomass [60]. In fact, the use of alternative materials would facilitate the external management of the biomass or the self-management of the material by the producer by separating any type of plastic from the plant remains [66].…”

“…This has been coupled with an effort made by the EU to promote the establishment of "circular horticulture" in agriculture under plastic, which has expanded significantly in its territory [51]. Indeed, the intensive greenhouse horticultural sector has been described as a suitable place for its implementation [57][58][59][60][61]. However, due to the recent introduction of various strategies and action plans, the establishment of circular horticulture is considered one of the biggest challenges of the agricultural systems, including those located in the province of Almeria [62].…”