Organic and in-organic fertilizers effects on the performance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) grown on soilless medium

Abstract

Abstract The effects of organic fertilizers, based on Tithonia diversifolia, and in-organic fertilizers, based on hydroponics fertilizer, were evaluated on the performance, leaves, and fruit mineral concentrations of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants grown under soilless medium in a screen house. The treatments comprised six levels of liquid organic fertilizer (5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 mL), in-organic fertilizer, and a control. Both organic and in-organic fertilizers increased the growth, yield, leaf nutrient concentration, and the mineral contents of tomato and cucumber fruits in comparison with the control. In-organic fertilizer enhanced the performance and mineral concentrations of tomato and cucumber fruits in comparison with organic fertilizer. However, leaf analyses showed that all the essential elements for both tomato and cucumber crops were within the adequate ranges in the organic fertilizer treatments suggesting that this organic fertilizer can be used as an alternative to the expensive and scarce in-organic fertilizer. For organic fertilizer, the highest yield and mineral contents in fruits were attained at doses of 35 mL and 25 mL for tomato and cucumber plants, respectively. At these doses, the fruit weights of tomato and cucumber were increased by 137 and 198%, respectively, in comparison with the control. For a good yield of tomato and cucumber crop with a high fruit mineral content under the soilless medium of coco peat and rice husk, 35 mL and 25 mL of our tested organic fertilizer are recommended.