The effect of alternative sources of nutrients was evaluated on yield, nutrition and fruit quality of tomato cv Santa Clara in an agro ecological system, under natural conditions in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The experimental design was of completely randomized blocks with seven treatments and four replications, using eight plants per experimental plot. The treatments comprised of 1) conventional fertilization with NPK; 2) organic compost + natural phosphate + rock dust, applied separately; 3) organic compost produced from the addition of natural phosphate and rock dust + green manure; 4) organic compost produced from the addition of rock dust + natural phosphate + green manure; 5) organic compost produced from the addition of natural phosphate and rock dust + green manure; 6) natural phosphate + rock dust; and 7) organic compost + natural phosphate + rock dust + green manure. The highest production was obtained using chemical fertilizers. There was no difference among the treatments regarding the content of foliar nutrients and fruit diameter, pH and total soluble solids. The use of mineral and organic fertilizers significantly reduced the incidence of soft rot and pests in comparison to the use of chemical fertilizers.
Lycopersicon esculentum; organic fertilization; mineral nutrition
