THE STUDIES ON APPLYING OF EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS (EM) AND CRF ON NUTRIENT CONTENTS IN LEAVES AND YIELDING OF TOMATO

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of applying Effective Microorganisms (EM), at a varied CRF (controlled release fertilizers) fertilization as starter fertilization, on macroelement contents in leaves and yielding of tomato grown in a peat substrate. Application of EM had significant effect – when applied either as seed inoculation or combined seed inoculation + spraying of plants on increase of total and commercial yields of tomato (35.8% and 40%; 44.6% and 35.9%, respectively). In contrast the application of CRF resulted in a significant increase in leaf contents of N (22.3–24.4%), K (13.6–16.6%) and Na (25%) at a simultaneous reduction of contents in case of Ca (9.9–15.7%) and Mg (21.9–23.9%) in comparison with the control combination. In view of environmental protection it is pointless to use starter fertilization in the form of slowrelease fertilizers in case of a cyclical use of fertigation in crop growing. Due to the advantageous effect of Effective Microorganisms on crop yielding it seems advisable to consider their application in commercial crop growing.

Keywords

• Effective Microorganisms (EM)
• Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRF)
• tomato
• yield
• nutrient status