Technical and Economic Assessment of Tomato Cultivation Through a Macro-Tunnel Production System with the Application of <i>Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus</i>
Bacterial inoculants hold promise for enhancing the sustainability and profitability of tomato cultivation in macro-tunnel systems. This study aimed to evaluate the technical and economic viability of applying <i>Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus</i> to tomato production. The separate add...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/10/1110 |
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| Summary: | Bacterial inoculants hold promise for enhancing the sustainability and profitability of tomato cultivation in macro-tunnel systems. This study aimed to evaluate the technical and economic viability of applying <i>Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus</i> to tomato production. The separate addition of native <i>G. diazotrophicus</i> GIBI025 and GIBI029 isolates and a commercial inoculant containing <i>Azotobacter chrococcum</i> and <i>Azospirillium</i> sp. was evaluated at a rate of 1 × 10<sup>8</sup> CFU·mL<sup>−1</sup> without nitrogen addition. Conventional fertilization treatment with no bacteria added and 100%-nitrogen fertilization relative to crop requirements (added as MAP and urea) was also assessed. The treatments were evaluated within the macro-tunnel production system. The experiment utilized a completely randomized block design with four replications per treatment, and each experimental unit consisted of 20 plants. The yield (kg·ha<sup>−1</sup>) was calculated and economic assessment was performed. The results show that native <i>G. diazotrophicus</i> isolates in tomato cultivation under the macro-tunnel production system improved its economic viability, achieving yields up to 95,501 kg·ha<sup>−1</sup> without the addition of nitrogenous fertilizers. This research reveals benefit–cost ratios achieving 1.57 and net incomes reaching 16,707 US dollars per hectare. This work demonstrated that the native isolates assessed may be used in the pursuit of more integrated, sustainable, and competitive cultural practices. |
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| ISSN: | 2311-7524 |