EVALUATING SOIL AMENDMENT EFFECTS ON TOMATO YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY

 

Feranmi Isaiah Ajayi ¹, Adegboye Ronke Adesola ¹, Aribisala Issac Tomisin ¹, Olawale Olugbenga Olanrewaju ¹

 

¹ Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

 

1. INTRODUCTION

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most widely cultivated and consumed vegetables globally, valued for its nutritional content and versatility in culinary applications. The increasing demand for tomatoes necessitates the exploration of efficient agricultural practices to enhance yield and fruit quality. This study investigates the impact of various soil treatments on the yield components of tomato plants, including fruit diameter, fruit length, the number of fruits per plant, and fruit weight. Understanding how different treatments influence these parameters can guide farmers and agricultural practitioners in optimizing their cultivation techniques. This research aims to identify the most effective strategies for maximizing tomato production by systematically comparing the effects of different soil management practices. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of more sustainable and productive tomato farming methods, ultimately supporting food security and economic stability in the agricultural sector.

 

2. Methodology

2.1. Study Area

The experiment was conducted at the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering research farm in Obanla at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Nigeria. Akure, the capital of Ondo State, is between latitude 9°17’N and longitude 5°18’E. The city experiences a tropical humid climate characterized by two seasons: a relatively dry season from November to March and a wet/rainy season from April to October. The rainfall pattern is bimodal, with the first peak occurring between June and July and the second in September, with a short dry spell in August. The mean annual rainfall ranges from 1300mm to 1500mm, while the average annual rainfall ranges from 1405mm to 2400mm. The experimental site was selected due to its easy accessibility, distance, and availability of macronutrients required for tomato production.

 

2.2. Experimental Design

This experimental design employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight treatments and six replicates, totaling 48 experimental plots. Each plot measured 1.2 x 7.1m2, with 1-meter alleyways between plots, resulting in a total plot size of 51.12m2. The treatments constitute i). Supplement 1 (BK+), ii). Supplement 2 (MgSO4), iii). Supplement 3 (CPh), iv). Combined Inorganic Fertilizer (BK+, MgSO4, CPh, NPK), v). Organic Fertilizer (EcoTea), vi). Pig Manure (PM), vii). Cow Manure (CM), viii). Control (No treatment).

The experiment management involved the usual cultivation process, beginning with nursery planting and transplantation into the experimental field. Weeding and staking were conducted regularly, and fertilizers were applied to promote root and apical growth. The application of fertilizers varied across plots, with Plot A as the control, Plot B receiving organic fertilizers, and Plot C receiving inorganic fertilizers. Plot B, which received the organic fertilizer treatment, employed the traditional method of applying manure directly to the soil without any plant cover. This approach avoided potential exothermic reactions that could harm plant development. In contrast, the ECOTEA application followed the prescribed guidelines, with a measured application of 6.04 x 6.7 x 2.30 cm. Meanwhile, Plot C, which received inorganic fertilizers, utilized a precision measuring device to ensure the standard application volume was accurately applied to the soil (6.04 x 6.7 x 2.30 cm). This controlled approach allowed for a precise amount of fertilizer to be distributed evenly, minimizing potential errors or overapplication. Water was applied through drip irrigation, ensuring the soil was at field capacity before transplanting. The artificial watering process continued until the end of July 2023. From then on, the plants relied solely on natural rainfall for watering until the day of harvest. This design allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of different fertilizers on tomato plant growth and development.

 

 

 

2.3. Data collection

While experimenting, a series of results will be obtained. These include:

·        The agronomic measurement of the tomato plant was taken to know the growth response with time

·        The number of fruits produced by the tomato was collected for 3 weeks and counted at every week of harvest

·        The harvested fruits' weight, length, and diameter were measured using different and appropriate measuring devices. These tomatoes were categorized into big and small. Visually, small or big-sized tomatoes were sorted and measured accordingly.

·        The climatic data was collected from the meteorological department of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria.

 

2.4. Data analysis

2.4.1.  Statistical Analysis

In the analysis of the data obtained from this study, descriptive and inferential statistics were used to determine the effect of the organic and inorganic soil amendments on the tomato yield. Microsoft Excel package was used to perform Tukey’s Honesty Significant Difference at an error probability <0.05 and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to obtain the significant effects of the treatments on tomato yield and yield components. The relationship between the nutrient management strategies, growth, and yield variables on nutrient use efficiencies was assessed.

 

3. Result and Discussions

The yield components of tomatoes, including agronomic measurement, fruit diameter, fruit length, number of fruits per plant, and unit weight of fruit, were evaluated to assess the efficacy of different soil treatments IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development). (2020). A detailed analysis was conducted to identify which treatments most effectively enhance tomato production, providing a basis for optimizing soil management practices FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization). (2017). The results of these evaluations are presented in subsequent sections, highlighting the impact of various treatments on measured yield components AfDB (African Development Bank). (2019), World Bank. (2018). This research-focused approach offers practical and scientifically robust agricultural strategies to improve tomato yield and quality, comparing treatments and examining underlying factors contributing to yield variations Journal of Agricultural Science. (2020).

 

3.1. Climate condition

May-Aug 2023 weather data shows humidity, temperature, solar radiation, and rainfall fluctuations. May 2023 started with high humidity and moderate temperatures, followed by rising temperatures and decreasing humidity, with varying solar radiation and occasional rainfall.

June saw a rise in solar radiation, peaking at 371.74 W/m² on June 20, while humidity and temperature showed modest changes. Rainfall was sporadic, with notable spikes on certain days, such as 46 mm on June 15.

July, however, presented a more stable weather pattern with consistently high temperatures and humidity levels in the mid-80s percentile. Rainfall was irregular but significant, especially on July 13, when it reached 94 mm. Solar radiation remained strong throughout the month, peaking at 364.98 W/m² on July 7, indicating a sunny period with occasional heavy rain showers.

August continued the trend of high humidity and temperatures, with a notable increase in rainfall. The highest humidity was recorded at 99.34% on August 10, paired with lower solar radiation levels, indicating more overcast days. Rainfall was particularly heavy on August 15, with 104 mm, highlighting a shift towards more humid and wet conditions as the month progressed. This period marked a transition from the sunny, stable weather of July to the more volatile and rainier atmosphere of August, signaling the onset of a wetter season.

 Figure 1

Figure 1 The Climate Condition of The Experimental Site

 

 

3.2.  Tomato Growth Response to Varying Fertilizer

The study monitored agronomic measurements from the first week after transplant (WAT) to track plant growth and development across plots and stands AfDB (African Development Bank). (2019). Initial measurements showed variability in plant parameters, but noticeable changes in leaves, height, and Gart values emerged by the second week World Bank. (2018). Significant advancements in agronomic parameters were evident by the fifth week, indicating ongoing plant development IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development). (2020). Intensified growth patterns were observed across all plots and stands by the eighth week, and plants had matured further with significant increases in measurements by the eleventh week World Bank. (2018), Journal of Agricultural Science. (2020).

Figure 2

 

Figure 2 Tomato Growth Response to Varying Fertilizers with Time

 

3.3. Tomato Yield Response to Varying Fertilizer

3.3.1.  Change in tomato number of fruits

Figure 3

Figure 3 Number of Fruits for the Week

 

According to Figure 3, In the first week, the total number of fruits produced across treatments was 117, with CaPh and Pig Dung leading at 48 and 23 fruits, respectively Horton (2020). Other treatments had moderate yields, while the control plot produced no fruits Hernandez et al. (2019). This aligns with Horton (2020) findings that fertilizer type and application rate significantly influence fruit yield and quality Horton (2020). In the second week, fruit production increased substantially to 260, with CaPh leading at 55 fruits and MgSO4 at 46 Nguyen et al. (2019). Combined treatment and EcoTea also showed notable improvements, while the control plot produced 5 fruits, suggesting some natural growth Hernandez et al. (2019). In the third week, fruit production peaked at 356, with the Combined Inorganic fertilizer treatment yielding the highest at 70 fruits, followed by MgSO4 at 63 fruits and CaPh at 67 fruits Nguyen et al. (2019). While some treatments experienced a slight decline, the control plot slightly increased to 9 fruits Horton (2020). Over the three-week period, fruit production showed a clear upward trend, with CaPh, MgSO4, and the Combined Inorganic fertilizer treatments demonstrating the most remarkable improvements Nguyen et al. (2019). These findings align with previous research indicating that organic and inorganic supplements can significantly enhance fruit production over time, particularly animal-derived supplements in later stages of growth Hernandez et al. (2019).

ANOVA results indicate significant differences in fruit production among treatments (F-value = 2.72, P-value = 0.0459) Hernandez et al. (2019). Over three weeks, CaPh, MgSO4, and Combined Inorganic Fertilizer treatments yielded the highest average fruits (56.67, 42.67, and 39.67 respectively) Nguyen et al. (2019). These treatments are recommended for optimal tomato production due to their substantial improvements in fruit yield compared to other treatments and the control group Horton (2020). This finding highlights the effectiveness of these specific supplements in enhancing tomato growth and productivity Nguyen et al. (2019).

 

3.3.2.  Change in tomato fruit diameter

 Figure 4

Figure 4 Change in Tomato Fruit Diameter

                                                                             

In the first week of harvest, tomato diameter growth was uniform across treated plots, with minor variations Hernandez et al. (2019). This uniformity suggests that the treatments effectively promoted growth across different size categories, producing tomatoes of various sizes Hernandez et al. (2019). The treated plots consistently produced tomatoes of different sizes, indicating the effectiveness of the treatments in boosting growth Nguyen et al. (2019). In contrast, the control plot failed to produce any tomatoes, highlighting the crucial role of the treatments in encouraging tomato growth Horton (2020). The absence of tomato production in the control plot emphasizes the importance of the treatments for the other plots Nguyen et al. (2019) Figure 4

This analysis compared two related variables, Big Diameter (BD) and Small Diameter (SD), using a paired two-sample t-test. The results showed that Big Diameter (BD) had a higher mean (39.375) than Small Diameter (SD) (34.9), with a strong positive correlation (0.977) indicating a close relationship between the variables. The t-test results (t statistic: 3.372, p-value: 0.0059) provided strong evidence to reject the null hypothesis, confirming a significant difference between the means of Big Diameter (BD) and Small Diameter (SD) at the 5% significance level. This suggests that Big Diameter (BD) tends to be higher than Small Diameter (SD), with a strong correlation between the two variables.

In the second week of the harvest period, a noticeable shift occurred in the frequency of tomato sizes. Specifically, there was a reduction in the number of small-diameter tomatoes compared to the previous week. Conversely, the frequency of bigger-diameter tomatoes increased during this same period. This shift suggests that as the growing conditions continued to be favorable, the tomatoes developed further, resulting in a higher proportion of bigger-diameter tomatoes. The reduction in smaller diameter tomatoes may indicate that the smaller tomatoes from the first week grew larger by the second week or that the conditions particularly preferred the development of bigger tomatoes as the season progressed Figure 4

This analysis compared two related variables, Big Diameter (BD) and Small Diameter (SD), using a paired two-sample t-test to determine if their mean difference is significantly different from zero Horton (2020). Big Diameter (BD) had a higher mean (45.43625) than Small Diameter (SD), with a lower variance (12.5185125), indicating less spread in the data Nguyen et al. (2019). Both variables had 8 observations each. Despite a weak negative correlation (-0.089069291) suggesting a slight inverse relationship Hernandez et al. (2019), the t-test results (t statistic: 4.23768937, p-value: 0.00192565) provided strong evidence to reject the null hypothesis, confirming a significant difference between the means of Big Diameter (BD) and Small Diameter (SD) at the 5% significance level. This indicates that Big Diameter (BD) tends to be higher than Small Diameter (SD) despite a weak inverse relationship Nguyen et al. (2019). The findings are crucial for understanding the relationship between these variables and guiding future research or practical applications Horton (2020).

In week 3, the experiment expresses a big discrepancy in the frequency of the small-size tomatoes compared to the big ones. The number of small-size tomatoes reduced exponentially, highlighting a significant change in the distribution of tomato sizes during this period. This reduction could suggest that the factors influencing tomato growth favor the development of big tomatoes, leading to a noticeable decline in the number of small tomatoes. This finding emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying conditions that promote the growth of different tomato sizes Figure 4

The study compared the big diameter (BD) and small diameter (SD) using a paired t-test. BD was bigger on average (42.98 vs. 24.2) with more variation. There was a weak negative correlation (-0.47), but the t-test (p-value very small) showed a highly significant difference between their means. This means BD is definitively larger than SD, although they have a slight negative association. This is important for understanding these measures and can inform future research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.3.3.  Change in tomato fruit weight

Figure 5

 

Figure 5 The Changes in Tomato Fruit Weight

 

In the first week, according to Figure 5, the weights of tomatoes were recorded for both big and small categories across various supplements. The figure above summarizes the data. However, the initial observations indicate that the combined inorganic fertilizer had the highest big weight (68.3g), followed by CaPh (63.78g) and MgSO4 (57.72g). For small weights, EcoTea had the highest value (40.25g), closely followed by the Combined Inorganic Fertilizer (40.1g). As expected, the control group showed no tomato production in either category. Subsequently, the mean and variance for each supplement's big and small weights are calculated. The mean weights for big tomatoes varied significantly across supplements, with the Combined Inorganic fertilizer showing the highest mean. For small tomatoes, EcoTea had the highest mean weight. Variances indicated the spread of data points; for instance, Cow Dung had a considerable spread in small weights, suggesting variability in growth.

Next, paired t-tests were performed to compare the weights between different weeks to see if the changes were statistically significant. For BK+, comparing Week 1 big weights (BW1) with Week 2 big weights (BW2), and similarly for small weights (SW1 vs. SW2), we observed significant changes. This pattern helps us understand the supplements' growth trajectory and effectiveness over time. Similar tests for MgSO4, CaPh, EcoTea, Pig Dung, Cow Dung, and Combined Inorganic Fertilizer showed varying degrees of effectiveness, with some supplements leading to significant weight increases while others did not.

A one-way ANOVA was used to compare each supplement group's weekly average weight (large and small tomatoes). This demonstrated that several additives significantly affected tomato size during the first week. While some additives, such as EcoTea and inorganic fertilizer, encouraged the growth of bigger fruit, tomatoes were often produced with smaller fruit. This is consistent with previous studies that demonstrate that inorganic fertilizers promote growth. Organic supplements (Pig Dung, Cow Dung) had mixed results, with Cow Dung showing more variable growth U et al. (2020).

In the second week, the big weights increased significantly across most supplements, with BK+ showing the highest increase to 65.18g. The small weights, however, varied, with EcoTea maintaining a high value of 19.07g. The control group showed minimal growth, with big weights at 37.07g and small weights at 10.68g.

The mean and variance were calculated for each supplement's big and small weights in the first step. The mean weights for big tomatoes varied significantly across supplements, with the Combined Inorganic fertilizer showing the highest mean in Week 1. For small tomatoes, EcoTea had the highest mean weight. Variances indicated the spread of data points; for instance, Cow Dung had a considerable spread in small weights, suggesting variability in growth.

Subsequently, the paired t-tests were used to compare the weights between different weeks to see if the changes were statistically significant. For BK+, comparing Week 1 big weights (BW1) with Week 2 big weights (BW2), and similarly, for small weights (SW1 vs. SW2), a significant change was observed. This trend aids in our comprehension of the supplements' long-term efficacy and growth trajectory. Comparable trials with EcoTea, Pig Dung, Cow Dung, MgSO4, CaPh, and Combined Inorganic Fertilizer revealed differing levels of efficacy; some supplements caused appreciable weight gains, while others did not.

For the data in Figure 5, each supplement group's average weights (big and small tomatoes) were compared weekly. This revealed that in week 1, different supplements clearly impacted tomato size. Some promoted larger fruits, while others, like a specific fertilizer, led to smaller ones. This aligns with past research showing that inorganic fertilizers can boost growth. Organic supplements had mixed results, highlighting the importance of nutrient management and healthy soil for consistent yields, as confirmed by other studies Ding et al. (2024). Overall, this analysis provides valuable insights into supplement effects on tomato growth (both sizes) and validates these findings statistically. Connecting these results to existing research becomes a valuable tool for future practices and choosing the best supplements for optimal tomato production.

In the third week, different supplements impacted tomato growth in varying ways. The Combined Inorganic Fertilizer consistently produced the heaviest tomatoes, followed by CaPh and MgSO4. Unsurprisingly, the control group with no supplements had no weight gain. As the experiment progressed, growth patterns shifted. While BK+ produced the biggest tomatoes at one point, its small tomato weights dropped significantly. In contrast, EcoTea maintained consistently high small weights, indicating balanced growth. By the final measurements, combined inorganic fertilizer and EcoTea stood out among the heaviest tomatoes, highlighting their effectiveness in promoting larger fruit. The control group with the lowest weights emphasizes the importance of supplements for optimal growth. Overall, the data shows varying effectiveness among the supplements. Combined Inorganic Fertilizer excelled at producing larger tomatoes, while EcoTea and CaPh offered balanced growth with good performance in both big and small weights. Cow Dung and the control group lagged behind, demonstrating their relative ineffectiveness compared to the other options. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into how different supplements influence tomato growth, ultimately guiding future agricultural practices and supplement choices.

To further investigate the relationship between big and small weight measurements, the paired t-test analysis was used. On average, big weights were significantly higher (41.09g) than small weights (7.83g), with a wider spread in big-weight data points. The strong negative correlation (-0.77) indicated that bigger weights tended to be associated with smaller weights and vice versa. Statistical tests (t-test with highly significant p-values) confirmed that this observed difference is not due to chance, highlighting a substantial and statistically meaningful distinction between big and small weight measurements.

 

3.3.4.  Change in tomato fruit length

 Figure 6

Figure 6 Change in Tomato Fruit Length

 

In the first week, the study examined the effects of various supplements on the lengths of tomatoes, categorized into big lengths (BL) and small lengths (SL). The supplements included BK+, MgSO4, CaPh, EcoTea, Pig Dung, Cow Dung, Combined Inorganic Fertilizer, and a Control group. The following table presents the observed lengths for each supplement. Combined Inorganic Fertilizer led to the highest big length (5.98cm), indicating its effectiveness in promoting larger tomato growth. CaPh also showed a significant impact with a big length of 5.67cm. The Control group, as expected, had zero growth, confirming the necessity of supplementation for tomato development.

The mean lengths for big and small categories are 4.28625 and 3.47625, respectively. The high Pearson correlation (0.957818) indicates a strong positive relationship between big and small lengths. The t-statistic (3.696577) exceeds the critical values for both one-tail and two-tail tests, and the p-values (0.003845 for one-tail and 0.00769 for two-tail) are below the common alpha level of 0.05. This suggests that the differences between big and small lengths are statistically significant.

Even though the initial analysis showed some supplements, like Combined Inorganic fertilizers and CaPh, may promote longer tomatoes, further statistical tests revealed a surprising outcome. The F-value and p-value from the ANOVA test suggest no statistically significant difference in tomato lengths between the supplement groups at the 5% significance level. This means that while supplements seem to influence tomato growth, the length variation within each supplement group is more substantial than the differences between the groups. In simpler terms, supplement choice may affect tomato length, but the impact might be masked by other factors influencing individual tomato growth within each group. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights for future research, highlighting the need to consider supplement effects and within-group variability for informed agricultural practices.

In the second week, the study examined the effects of various supplements on the lengths of tomatoes, categorized into big lengths (BL) and small lengths (SL). The supplements included BK+, MgSO4, CaPh, EcoTea, Pig Dung, Cow Dung, Combined Inorganic Fertilizer, and a Control group. Figure 6presents the observed lengths for each supplement. Pig Dung led to the highest big length (5.09cm), indicating its effectiveness in promoting larger tomato growth. MgSO4 showed a significant impact with a big length of 4.94cm and a small length of 3.66cm. The Control group had equal lengths for both big and small tomatoes, suggesting no growth differentiation without supplementation.

The mean lengths for big and small categories are 4.76125 and 3.195, respectively. The negative Pearson correlation (-0.40801457) indicates a weak inverse relationship between big and small lengths. The t-statistic (5.86360592) exceeds the critical values for both one-tail and two-tail tests, and the p-values (0.000310979 for one-tail and 0.000621957 for two-tail) are below the common alpha level of 0.05. This suggests that the differences between big and small lengths are statistically significant.

Furthermore, using the ANOVA analysis. The F-value (45.64757) is significantly higher than the F critical value (4.60011), and the p-value (9.22E-06) is well below 0.05. This indicates that there is a statistically significant difference between the groups at the 0.05 significance level. Most of the variance is attributed to between groups rather than within groups, suggesting that the differences in tomato lengths are significantly influenced by the type of supplement used.

The descriptive statistics and paired t-test analysis indicate that supplements significantly impact the lengths of tomatoes, with Pig Dung showing the highest effectiveness in promoting larger tomato growth. The ANOVA results further confirm that the differences between the groups are statistically significant, highlighting the importance of supplement choice in tomato cultivation. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of various supplements on tomato lengths, supporting informed agricultural practices.

In week 3, The study evaluated the effects of various supplements on the lengths of tomatoes, categorized into big lengths (BL) and small lengths (SL). The supplements tested included BK+, MgSO4, CaPh, EcoTea, Pig Dung, Cow Dung, Combined Inorganic Fertilizer, and a Control group. The observed lengths for each supplement are presented in the Figure 6 above:

The results showed that EcoTea was the most effective supplement for promoting larger tomato growth, with the highest big length of 5.8cm. BK+ also demonstrated high effectiveness, with a big length of 4.98cm. In contrast, the Control group, which did not receive any supplement, had lower big lengths of 3.97cm, highlighting the positive impact of supplementation on tomato growth. Interestingly, Cow Dung resulted in the highest small length of 3.5cm, suggesting its potential effectiveness for increasing smaller tomato growth.

The analysis revealed mean lengths of 4.6875cm and 2.57875cm for the big and small categories, respectively. Notably, a strong inverse relationship was observed between big and small lengths, as evidenced by a negative Pearson correlation coefficient of -0.831418992. Furthermore, the t-statistic of 5.841768359 exceeded the critical values for both one-tail and two-tail tests, and the corresponding p-values of 0.000317948 (one-tail) and 0.000635896 (two-tail) were below the common alpha level of 0.05. These findings indicate that the differences between big and small lengths are statistically significant, suggesting a meaningful distinction between the two categories.

With the ANOVA, the analysis results revealed a striking difference between the groups, with an F-value of 59.76864 that far surpasses the critical value of 4.60011. Moreover, the p-value of 2.03E-06 is substantially lower than the significance level of 0.05, indicating a statistically significant difference between the groups at the 5% level. This suggests that the type of supplement used profoundly impacts tomato lengths, with most of the variance attributed to differences between groups rather than within groups. In other words, the differences in tomato lengths are largely driven by the type of supplement used rather than random chance or within-group variability.

The collective results of the descriptive statistics paired t-test analysis and ANOVA indicate a statistically significant impact of supplements on tomato lengths. Specifically, EcoTea emerged as the most efficacious supplement for promoting larger tomato growth. The negative correlation between big and small lengths suggests an inverse relationship between the factors contributing to larger tomato growth and those affecting smaller tomato growth. The statistical analyses provide robust evidence that the differences in tomato lengths are substantial and likely attributable to the varying effectiveness of the supplements. This comprehensive analysis contributes meaningful insights into the impact of different supplements on tomato growth, informing evidence-based agricultural practices.

 

4. Conclusion

The analysis of tomato yield under different supplement treatments revealed significant insights. The study evaluated the impact of various organic and inorganic fertilizers on tomato growth, specifically focusing on parameters such as fruit length, diameter, and weight. Among the supplements, EcoTea consistently showed the highest effectiveness in promoting larger tomato growth, with significant increases in both big and small fruit weights. In contrast, the control group, which did not receive any supplementation, demonstrated minimal growth, underscoring the importance of nutrient management.

Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and paired t-tests, confirmed that the differences observed between the treatment groups were statistically significant. For instance, the F-value from ANOVA indicated a profound impact of the supplements on tomato lengths, with EcoTea and combined inorganic fertilizers showing the most pronounced effects. The negative correlation between big and small fruit lengths further suggested an inverse relationship, where factors contributing to larger fruit sizes did not favor smaller fruit development.

Overall, this study highlights the critical role of supplement choice in optimizing tomato yield. EcoTea emerged as a particularly effective treatment, promoting substantial growth in both fruit size and weight. These findings provide valuable guidance for agricultural practices, suggesting that targeted use of specific supplements can significantly enhance tomato production and quality【28:2†source】【28:3†source】【28:4†source.

 

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

None. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

None.

 

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