Jul 2026· International Journal of Aquatic Research and Environmental Studies· 0 citations
Abstract
The increasing demand for sustainable tomato production has intensified the search for environmentally friendly nutrient management strategies that can improve crop productivity while maintaining soil health. This study evaluated the effects of different rates and combinations of vermicast and vermitea on the growth, yield, fruit quality, postharvest performance, and profitability of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under the agroecological conditions of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments and three replications. Growth parameters, flowering characteristics, yield components, fruit quality, postharvest attributes, and economic returns were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results revealed that vermicast and vermitea significantly influenced all measured parameters (P ≤ 0.01). The combined application of 80 g vermicast + 1000 ml vermitea per 16 L water (T3) consistently produced the best overall performance, recording the highest final plant height (86.37 cm), height increment (75.43 cm), number of leaves (86.00), flowers (53.00), fruits per plant (41.00), average fruit weight (98.27 g), total fruit yield (4.02 kg plant⁻¹), marketable yield (21.43 t ha⁻¹), and market quality (97.56%). The same treatment also extended shelf life, minimized fruit cracking, and generated the highest gross income (₱642,000.00 ha⁻¹), net income (₱447,596.24 ha⁻¹), return on investment (230.24%), and benefit-cost ratio (3.30). Meanwhile, vermitea applied alone enhanced stem diameter, fruit firmness, fruit size, and accelerated flowering. Overall, integrating vermicast and vermitea proved to be an effective and economically viable organic nutrient management strategy for improving tomato growth, fruit quality, yield, and profitability. The study demonstrates the potential of vermicompost-based amendments as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers for enhancing tomato production under local farming conditions.
The excessive dependence on synthetic fertilizers in crop production has raised concerns regarding soil degradation, environmental sustainability, and long-term agricultural productivity. Vermicompost represents a promising organic nutrient source; however, its effectiveness in improving crop performance may vary depending on application rate and crop genotype. This study evaluated vermicompost as a sustainable biofertilizer for improving growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). A factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of vermicompost application levels and cowpea genotype on growth and yield performance. Four cowpea varieties were tested under four vermicompost-to-soil ratios of 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0 together with chemical fertilizer and untreated control treatments. Growth and yield parameters were analyzed using analysis of variance in Minitab 15. Vermicompost significantly enhanced vegetative growth and reproductive performance compared with the control and chemical fertilizer treatments (p < 0.05). Improvements were evident across all vermicompost levels, with 25–75% applications already producing substantial gains in growth and yield attributes. Maximum values were generally observed at the 100% level, including plant height (50.94 ± 3.00 cm; Bombay), leaf number (39.00 ± 1.22; MI 35), branch number (14.20 ± 1.48; MI 35), nodes per main stem (20.00 ± 2.45; MI 35), and leaf area index (79.26 ± 14.97 cm²; Bombay). Yield-related traits also responded positively to vermicompost, as indicated by earlier flowering (35 ± 0.83 days; Waruni and Dawala), earlier maturity (47.40 ± 1.14 days; Waruni), longer pods (16.24 ± 0.68 cm; ANKCP 2), higher seed number per pod (11.00 ± 1.58; ANKCP 2), greater pod number per plant (4.40 ± 1.14; Waruni), and increased seed size (0.72 ± 0.08 mm; Bombay). Vermicompost showed beneficial effects under the tested pot conditions; however, further field validation is necessary to assess its effectiveness and suitability as a partial or complete alternative to conventional fertilizers.
A. Amarasinghe, E. Rathnathunga, W. Pushpakumari· Turkish Journal of Agricultu...· 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
Frequent use synthetic chemical fertilizers in vegetable crop production provide shot term yield gain but it imposes long term soil erosion. Therefore, it is crucial to leverage cost effective and ecofriendly strategy for sustainable vegetable crop production. The aim of the study was to evaluate impact of organic fertilizers (compost, vermicompost and vermiwash) for improving sustainable cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production. In this study, we found compost, vermicompost, and vermiwash supplementation exhibited differential impacts for enhancing leaf number, fruit length, acquisition of nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K), improving plant biomass and total cucumber yield. Compost increased leaf number per plant, followed by vermicompost. Application of vermicompost 4 showed the highest cucumber size (18.41 ± 0.63 cm). Vermicompost2 showed the highest level of nitrogen (2.82 ± 0.05%) accumulation in cucumber. Among the three organic fertilizers, the vermicompost amendment showed the better performance for improving total plant biomass and cucumber yield, suggesting that vermicompost application could be better option for improving cucumber yield. These findings together suggest that the cost effective and eco-friendly organic amendment-based strategy would be effective to horticulturists and farmers for sustainable cucumber and other horticultural plant production.
M. Ahmed, S. Rasheed· Fundamental and Applied Agri...· 0 citations
Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) productivity and fruit quality are strongly influenced by nutrient availability and crop-management practices. Humic acid and seaweed extract are plant biostimulants that may enhance vegetative growth, yield, and quality when applied at appropriate concentrations.
Aims: This study evaluated the individual and interactive effects of foliar-applied humic acid and seaweed extract on the growth, yield, fruit quality, and economic performance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. Arka Samrat.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, during the Rabi season of 2025–26.
Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomised block design with two factors: humic acid at four concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mL/L) and seaweed extract at four concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mL/L). The 16 treatment combinations were replicated three times, and the observed data were analysed using OPSTAT.
Results: Significant differences were observed among the treatments. Among the treatment combinations, humic acid at 4 mL/L combined with seaweed extract at 4 mL/L (M3T3) recorded the greatest plant height (312.62 cm), number of branches per plant (9.07), plant spread (65.92 cm), number of leaves per plant (69.13), number of clusters per plant (11.80), and number of flowers per cluster (9.01). It also recorded the fewest days to first flowering (27.69), 50% flowering (36.96), and first fruiting (41.95), together with the greatest number of fruits per cluster (8.24), average fruit weight (109.73 g), fruit yield per plant (6.40 kg), number of fruits per plant (58.35), total soluble solids (4.99 °Brix), ascorbic acid content (26.68 mg/100 g), and benefit–cost ratio (2.97).
Conclusion: The treatment combination of humic acid at 4 mL/L and seaweed extract at 4 mL/L (M3T3) produced the most favourable growth, yield, quality, and economic responses under the conditions of this experiment. However, these findings are indicative and require further experimentation across seasons and locations before broader recommendations can be made.
Tamanna Nehra, Dipayan Sarkar, U. Shukla et al.· Journal of Advances in Biolo...· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2022 and 2023 at Dr. BRC Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Mandor, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effect of biofertilisers and growth-promoting microorganisms on growth, yield, and profitability of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, var. GM-4) under the mungbean–wheat cropping system. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with ten treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of different combinations of the recommended dose of fertilisers and seed inoculation, soil application, or combined seed and soil application of Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB). The results indicated that growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield, biological yield, and economic returns were significantly influenced by the treatments. The greatest numerical plant heights at 30 DAS (46.8 cm) and 45 DAS (55.9 cm) were recorded under T₁₀, while T₅ recorded comparable values of 45.8 and 55.3 cm, respectively. The highest numbers of pods per plant (39.6) and seeds per pod (13.5), dry matter production (3.50 t ha⁻¹), and test weight (48.1 g) were observed under T₅, whereas the highest numerical chlorophyll content (4.00 mg g⁻¹) was recorded under T₁₀. The highest grain yield (pooled: 1458 kg ha⁻¹) and net return (₹98,855 ha⁻¹) were recorded with 100% RDF (T₅), whereas 75% RDF combined with seed and soil application of Rhizobium + PSB (T₁₀) produced a pooled grain yield of 1400 kg ha⁻¹ and a B:C ratio of 4.41, remaining statistically at par with T₅. Thus, integrated use of biofertilisers with 75% RDF can reduce fertiliser requirement without significant yield loss and improve profitability.
A. Verma, M. Mehriya, Ashish Vishnawat· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food and cash crop in Bangladesh; however, production in coastal regions is constrained by poor soil fertility and salinity stress. Vermicompost has emerged as a sustainable soil amendment capable of improving soil health and crop productivity. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different rates of supplementary vermicompost under a recommended inorganic fertilizer regime on the growth and yield of the potato cultivar BARI Alu-88 under coastal conditions. The experiment was carried out during the 2021–2022 growing season at the field of Noakhali Science and Technology University using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments: T₀ = control (recommended inorganic fertilizer only), T₁ = recommended inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 3.5 t ha⁻¹, T₂ = recommended inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 5.5 t ha⁻¹, and T₃ = recommended inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 7.5 t ha⁻¹, with three replications each. Supplementary vermicompost application significantly (P ≤ .01) improved all growth and yield attributes compared with the recommended inorganic fertilizer alone. The highest vermicompost rate (T₃) produced the tallest plants (56.73 cm), the greatest numbers of leaves (495.03 hill⁻¹), stems (7.60 hill⁻¹), and tubers (21.55 plant⁻¹), and the highest gross tuber yield (40.44 t ha⁻¹) and marketable yield (36.79 t ha⁻¹). Moreover, T₃ reduced the proportion of small-sized tubers (19.32%) while increasing the proportion of large-sized tubers (50.05%). The findings indicate that supplementary vermicompost application under the recommended inorganic fertilizer regime markedly enhanced vegetative growth, tuber development, and yield performance of BARI Alu-88 under coastal conditions. Although vermicompost is recognized as an environmentally friendly soil amendment, its adoption in the coastal saline areas of Bangladesh remains limited. The findings of the present study indicate that applying vermicompost at 7.5 t ha⁻¹ significantly improves the growth and yield of BARI Alu-88 under saline conditions. Therefore, supplementing the recommended inorganic fertilizer with vermicompost at 7.5 t ha⁻¹ can be recommended as an environmentally sustainable nutrient-management strategy for improving potato productivity in the coastal regions of Bangladesh.
Md Billal Hossain, Hania Aslam, M. Ali et al.· Asian Journal of Research in...· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
