%0 Journal Article
%T Effect of Organic and Chemical Fertilizer Application on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Small-Sized Tomatoes
%A Takamitsu Kai
%A Shunya Nishimori
%A Masahiko Tamaki
%J Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment
%P 121-133
%@ 2325-744X
%D 2020
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/jacen.2020.93011
%X Tomatoes in Japan are generally cultivated under management systems that
use chemical fertilizers and synthetic chemical pesticides. However, the
continuous use of these fertilizers and pesticides damages the soil environment
and reduces the number of soil microorganisms. Organic farming has a relatively
low environmental impact compared to conventional farming techniques, but
typically has lower and more unstable yields. In this study, we investigated
the effect of organic and chemical fertilizer application on growth, yield, and
quality of small-sized (cherry) tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes were cultivated using
organic and chemical organic fertilizers. Average weight and lateral diameter
were significantly higher under organic fertilizer than under chemical
fertilizer. In addition, shoot dry weight was significantly higher under
organic fertilizer than chemical fertilizer. Lycopene content was significantly
higher under organic fertilizer than chemical fertilizer. The total carbon
(TC), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), available phosphoric (SP)
and exchangeable potassium (SK) contents, C/N ratio, and pH were significantly
higher under organic fertilizer than chemical fertilizer. Bacterial biomass,
nitrite (NO</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">? 2</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">-N)
oxidation activity, nitrification (N) circulation activity, and phosphoric (P)
circulation were higher under organic fertilizer than chemical fertilizer. From
these results, the study indicates that appropriate controls such as TC, total
nitrogen (TN), and C/N ratio of organic fertilizer increased microbial biomass
and enhanced nutrient circulation such as N circulation activity and P
circulation activity. </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">These results can be used to
improve current organic farming practices and promote soil conservation.
%K Small-Sized Tomato
%K Organic Fertilizer
%K Soil Microorganisms
%K Soil Fertility
%K Agricultural Environment
%K Environmental Conservation
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=102096