Aug 2026· Applied Sciences· 0 citations· 101 references
Abstract
Agriculture plays a key role in global food production, whereas organic waste management remains an important environmental challenge. Organic residue-derived compost represents a sustainable strategy for nutrient recycling, soil fertility improvement, and reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers in horticultural systems. This study systematically reviewed the scientific literature on the application of compost in cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) cultivation to evaluate its effects on agronomic performance and production systems. A database search from 2004 to July 2025 identified 86 studies that met the predefined eligibility criteria. The analysis showed an increasing trend in research over the last two decades, with publications peaking in 2021. Most studies were conducted in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil, highlighting the relevance of the cherry tomato crop. The application of compost was associated with improved plant growth, nutrient availability, and crop productivity. The production cycles ranged from 37 to 220 days, with shorter cycles commonly observed in tropical environments. Rice husk compost is among the most frequently used organic amendments. Overall, compost represents an effective strategy to enhance agronomic performance and promote sustainable cherry tomato production worldwide.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most widely cultivated and economically important vegetable crops worldwide, contributing significantly to food security. However, its low productivity remains a substantial concern in Ethiopia due to mainly poor soil quality and limited use of inorganic fertilizers. On the contrary, improper disposal of recyclable charcoal and anaerobic cow dung bioslurry (ACDB) wastes poses environmental pollution challenges. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the synergetic effects of ACDB and charcoal co-composted fertilizers (ACDBCFs) on tomato productivity and soil properties. A pot experiment consisting of eight treatments (T1 - T8) was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Characterization of the five formulated ACDBCFs revealed good physico-chemical properties of pH, organic carbon, ammonium, nitrate, and orthophosphate, fluctuated from 8.9 to 9.63, 26.8 to 65.6%, 2.5 to 4.6 mgL ⁻ 1, 11.9 to 18.2 mgL ⁻ 1, and 0.74 to 3.1 mgL ⁻ 1, respectively. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in tomato fruit yield with relatively higher values of 2.87 and 2.73 kgpot ⁻ 1 for T6 and T8 under ACDB + charcoal (+10%) and inorganic fertilizers amendments, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated strong associations between nutrient availability and tomato growth and yield component parameters. Heat map visualization further confirmed that ACDBCFs application improved soil background nutrient and carbon contents. Overall, the findings from this short-term study indicate that ACDBCFs can enhance tomato productivity while improving soil organic matter and nutrient availability. However, further long-term studies on field level validation in real soil conditions and nutrient dynamics are recommended to support large-scale adoption of this resource-recovery approach, contributing to sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and socio-economic development.
Global demand for horticultural commodities, particularly Bird’s Eye Chili (Capsicum frutescens L.), continues to increase due to their function as a household food ingredient and a source of bioactive compounds with health benefits. In Indonesia, Capsicum frutescens are a strategic commodity that influences inflation, making increasing productivity a crucial part of national food security. However, low soil fertility and high dependence on inorganic chemical fertilizers hamper productivity while increasing production costs and environmental pressures. Sustainable fertilization using local organic resources is an important strategy to improve soil health and plant performance. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) and Azolla microphylla compost on Capsicum frutescens growth and yield, by simultaneously assessing five parameters: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of branches, and fruit production. The experiment was conducted in Langgomea Village, Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, with chili seedlings planted in 25 cm polybags containing a mixture of local garden soil and rice husk charcoal (2:1 v/v). A factorial Randomized Complete Block Design was applied with LOF (0, 10, 20, 40 ml/L) and compost (0, 10, 20, 40 g/plant), resulting in 16 treatment combinations, each replicated three times (a total of 144 plants). Growth and yield data were recorded weekly for 12 weeks; harvesting was carried out from the first to the last harvest. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and LSD at a significance level of 5% with R 4.3 and SPSS 28, provides a scientific basis for sustainable organic fertilization strategies and optimization of local resources. The results showed that the combination of LOF and Azolla microphylla compost significantly affected all growth and production parameters of Capsicum frutescens. The highest plant height was achieved in the P3K3 treatment (83.67 cm), followed by an increase in stem diameter to 136 mm, number of leaves to 104, and number of branches to 31.33. This increase in vegetative growth is in line with the high nitrogen and phosphorus content of Azolla, which supports cell formation, chlorophyll, protein, and nucleic acid synthesis. It was also found that Capsicum frutescens L. fruit production increased significantly with the combination of LOF and compost, reaching the highest average of 108.67 kg per plant in the P2K3 treatment. This confirms that the application of Azolla-based organic fertilizer provides sufficient nutrients, increases photosynthesis, biomass, and fruit yield accumulation. The interaction of liquid fertilizer and compost provides optimal synergistic effects for vegetative growth and plant productivity in the field. These findings bridge the research gap regarding the simultaneous use of liquid fertilizer and Azolla compost on Capsicum frutescens L., in humid tropical agroecosystems, while also providing practical implications for sustainable organic fertilization strategies. Application of these findings can improve resource efficiency, reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers, and support environmentally friendly tropical horticultural management.
Keywords: Bird’s Eye Chili, liquid organic fertilizer, Azolla microphylla compost, fruit yield, humid tropical agroecosystem, sustainable fertilization.
S. Suharjo, Ulyasniati Ulyasniati· Journal of Global Innovation...· 0 citations
The consumption of market garden products contributes to the food and nutritional security of the world's populations. Among these products, tomato occupies a prominent place. Meanwhile, the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers to produce tomatoes reduces the productive potential of soils. Due to this problem, the present study was conducted in West Cameroon, aiming to reduce the use of chemical inputs for sustainable tomato production through the use of organic input. Thus, five treatments (: T0 = control; T1 = 100% NET EDEN organic fertilizer; T2 = 100% poultry manure; T3 = 50% NET EDEN organic fertilizer + 50% poultry manure; T4 = 100% mineral fertilizer) were arranged in a completely randomized block design (RCBD) with three replications. The study was carried out from March 1 to June 26, 2024. The results revealed that the treatment with mineral fertilizer and the treatment with Net Eden organic fertilizer + chickens manure led to 26.28±5.50 t ha
-1
and 26.10±3.51 t ha
-1
respectively. These yields T4; T3 are significantly different (P<0.05) from the yields obtained with the other treatments. The economic analysis of fertilization using the value-cost ratio (VCR) showed that only the treatment based on mineral fertilizer T4 and the treatment with Net Eden+manure T3 should be popularized among farmers/producers. Thus, the use of organic fertilizers for tomato production has agronomic, ecological, and economic advantages. However, similar studies in other agroecological zones are needed.
Keegoui Gertrude, Zingui Xavier, Kamseu Paul et al.· Journal of Plant Sciences· 0 citations
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production requires sustainable fertilization practices to improve productivity while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This study evaluated the effects of different BioDeposit Elixir organic fertilizer application rates on the agronomic and economic performance of two tomato varieties under field conditions in Côte d’Ivoire. A field experiment was conducted during the 2024-2025 cropping season using a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of two varieties (Petomech+ and Cobra 26 F1) and five application rates (0, 12, 15, 20, and 25 mL per 10 m²), with three replications. Morphological, phenological, yield, fruit quality, postharvest, and economic traits were evaluated. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance followed by the Newman–Keuls multiple range test at P < 0.05. BioDeposit Elixir significantly affected most traits. Significant variety × BioDeposit Elixir dose interactions were observed for stem collar diameter, plant height, flowering time, fruit diameter, fruit fresh weight, gross yield, and shelf life. The 25 mL rate generally produced the highest values. Cobra 26 F1 showed superior performance for several traits, including plant height, fruit diameter, gross yield, and shelf life. The number of leaves, number of flowers, fruit appearance, harvest timing, and blossom-end rot incidence were mainly affected by the variety and/or BioDeposit Elixir dose without significant interaction. The 25 mL rate also resulted in the highest net economic value under both selling price scenarios (700 and 900 XOF kg⁻¹). Overall, BioDeposit Elixir improved several agronomic, postharvest, and economic traits, with responses depending on the trait and variety. The 25 mL rate provided the best overall performance under the experimental conditions.
Yaya Toure, Laddy Ouattara, Tchoa Koné et al.· World Journal of Advanced Re...· 0 citations
The intensive use of mineral fertilizers in horticultural systems has improved crop productivity but also increased concerns regarding soil degradation and environmental sustainability. In this context, vermicompost derived from buffalo manure may represent a sustainable alternative for nutrient management and organic waste valorization. This study evaluated the effects of four fertilization strategies on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown in loam and clay soils: unfertilized control, mineral fertilization, vermicompost applied at an equivalent nitrogen rate, and the residual effect of vermicompost from a previous cauliflower crop. Agronomic performance, fruit quality, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and antioxidant-related traits were assessed. Mineral fertilization produced the highest marketable yield, reaching 9.68 and 7.69 kg m−2 in loam and clay soils, respectively, mainly through increased fruit number. Direct vermicompost application maintained substantial productivity, with yields of 7.55 and 5.18 kg m−2 in the two soils. The fertilization strategies also induced distinct changes in fruit composition. Mineral fertilization increased total free amino acids to approximately 160 mg g−1 DW, mainly through the accumulation of glutamine, glutamate, asparagine and γ-aminobutyric acid, but was associated with lower soluble solids and antioxidant activity. Vermicompost promoted the highest lycopene concentration, approximately 2.1 mg g−1 DW, in clay soil and maintained intermediate antioxidant activity and amino acid concentrations. Soil texture also influenced carbohydrate partitioning, with greater fructose accumulation in clay soil and greater starch accumulation in loam soil. The residual vermicompost treatment alone did not adequately sustain tomato productivity or metabolic activity, particularly in clay soil. Overall, vermicompost partially replaced mineral fertilization while maintaining satisfactory yield and modulating fruit metabolic quality, although its effectiveness depended strongly on soil texture.
G. M. Fusco, I. Mola, E. Cozzolino et al.· Agriculture· 0 citations
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the important vegetables crop grown worldwide due to its use in a number of dishes and high nutritive value. Most of the vegetables are consumed in fresh conditions but indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers of pesticides in crop production leads toxic effect in produce which may cause various kinds of health hazards. Hence there is need to produce food free of contaminants through the use of organic inputs. Viewing these facts, a field experiment was conducted during the 2021-22 to analyze the effect of organic manures on vegetative growth and flowering of tomato cv. Pusa Ruby. Farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost and poultry manures were applied as sole and in combinations to analyze the effect of different organic manures. The treatments applied for the research purpose were seven in number that is T1 (Control), T2 (FYM 24.0 t/ha), T3 (Vermicompost 6.0 t/ha), T4 (Poultry manure 2.0 t/ha), T5 (FYM 12.0 t/ha + Vermicompost 3.0 t/ha), T6 (FYM 12.0 t/ha + Poultry manure 1.0 t/ha), T7 (Vermicompost 3.0 t/ha + Poultry manure 1.0 t/ha). The present investigation clearly indicate that combined soil application of Vermicompost 3.0 t/ha + Poultry manure 1.0 t/ha (T7) gave the better effect on vegetative parameters viz. plant height (85.03 cm), number of branches per plant (8.4), number of leaves per plant (41.77), number of flowers per cluster (12.3) as compared to all other treatments. However, FYM and Poultry manure also significantly increase vegetative growth of tomato.
Pulkit, P. Dev, J. Kumar et al.· Progressive Agriculture· 0 citations
