ISHS Acta Horticulturae 469: International Symposium on Composting & Use of Composted Material in Horticulture
HUMIC SUBSTANCES FROM COMPOST AFFECTS NUTRIENT ACCUMULATION AND FRUIT YIELD IN TOMATO |
| Authors: | C. Siminis, M. Loulakis, M. Kefakis, T. Manios, V. Manios |
| Keywords: | Humic substances, Hydroponic culture, Lycopersicon esculentun, Olive tree leaves compost |
| Abstract:
The effects of humic substances from olive tree leaves compost on nutrient accumulation and fruit yield in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentun cv Alexandros) were studied. Nitrate content was found elevated in leaf petioles of plants treated with humic substances (HS). Also, the presence of HS reduced the NO3-/NH4+ ratio in leaf tissue. Total protein content increased significantly in leaf laminae of HS treated plants. Total N was 10 and 12% elevated in leaves from plants exposed to 5 and 50 mgl-1 HS respectively, compared to that from untreated plants. HS-enhanced K, Ca, Mn, Zn and Fe accumulation in leaf petiole and laminae. The increase of Mn, Zn and Fe accumulation was pronounced in plants treated with 50 mgl-1 HS. K and Ca accumulated more in plants treated with 5 mgl-1 HS. Mg content in leaf petiole and laminae was the same in all treatments. Plants treated with HS gave increased total fruit yield. This increase was 5% when HS were applied at 5 mgl-1 and 10% at 50 mgl-1. Fruits harvested from treated plants had a reduced content in nitrate, ammonium and total N while K, Fe and Zn content was elevated. Fruit content in Ca, Mg and Mn remained unaffected by the treatments. Results presented, reveal a positive effect of HS on tomato nutrition and fruit yield. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
