The effects of planting systems on soil biology and quality attributes of tomatoes

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of seedling types (grafted and non-grafted) and different plantation systems (raised-bed and flat planting) on growth, yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Depar F1) plants organically grown in open-field conditions in Samsun. Soil microbial biomass-C increased by 25% and soil CO2 contents increased by 16% in raised-bed systems. It was observed that soil microbial biomass-C positively correlated with CO2 contents, leaf chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and yield (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with soil compaction. The highest chlorophyll content (47.37 CCI), fruit shape index (1.21) and yield (1.95 kg plant(-1)) were obtained from grafted seedlings of the raised-bed planting systems. The highest stomatal conductance (118.50 mmol m(-2) s(-1)) and firmness (79.34%) were obtained from non-grafted seedlings of the raised-bed planting systems. As a result, successful tomato cultivation was carried out with the use of raised-bed and grafted seedlings. However, non-grafted seedlings of the raised-beds had higher yield and quality values than the grafted seedlings of the flat planting.