Influence of Effective MicroorganismsConsortium Production and Quality Nutrients of Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum)
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Date
2017-10
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The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA)
Abstract
The use of Effective Microorganism (EM) consortium along with compost may overcome the harmful effects caused by chemical fertilizer while improving the nutritional quality of crops. The study aimed at evaluating the influence of compost inoculated with EM on the production and nutritional qualities of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum). Treatment included: Control (C), compost with effective microorganisms (EM); compost containing effective microorganisms with chicken manure (CEM) and urea as mineral fertilizer (M). Tomatoes were harvested randomly after matured and kept in plastic bag and immediately transferred to the laboratory for analysis of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, and Brix contents. The results showed that the application of EM significantly increased the production of tomatoes. Similarly, nutrients quality was improved in EM treatments by depicting the level of β-Carotene, Brix and vitamin C of 59.9 ± 11 μg/g, 4.6± 0.4% and 90.8 ± 20.7 mg/100g respectively compared with the mineral fertilizer of 31.1 ± 6.8 μg/g, 4.1 ± 0.6 %, and 53.7 ± 12 mg/100g respectively. It is therefore concluded that both production and nutrient qualities can be improved by application of EM in compost. Further research is recommended to understand the mechanisms and other factors of EM in increasing nutrients level of tomatoes before recommended to substitute the chemical fertilizer in tomatoes cultivation.
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Available in print form, Tunguu Reference Library
Keywords
1. influence of compost inoculated with EM on the production and nutritional qualities of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum).