Effects of organic and conventional management on morphophysiological parameters and antioxidant profile of tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L.), ‘Big Río’ variety

Abstract

Mexico is one of the main tomato-producing countries and relies heavily on synthetic chemical fertilizers, whose negative effects within and beyond production systems have already been described. In this context, organic agriculture offers an alternative to reduce chemical fertilizer use. The objective of the present study was to evaluate two management systems, organic and conventional, in terms of plant morphophysiological parameters, yield, and the antioxidant profile of fruits of the ‘Big Río’ variety of Solanum lycopersicum L. The study was carried out under greenhouse conditions. The treatments (organic and conventional fertilization) were distributed in a completely randomized design with fifty replications, and correlation matrices were established between plant morphological variables and fruit quality and color parameters. Organic fertilization significantly (p ≤ 0.001) favored plant morphological development, except for plant height (p ≥ 0.05). In addition, the total number of flowers and fruits increased by 89.7 % and 94.95 %, respectively, in organically fertilized plants, whereas fruit quality improved in terms of acidity, ascorbic acid content, and lycopene content by 20.8 %, 22.8 %, and 64.72 %, respectively, under the organic production system. Organic management in tomato production enhances the fruit's nutraceutical and functional characteristics while favorably influencing plant morphology, except for plant height.