Effects of Nopal and Goat Manure on Soil Fertility and the Growth, Yield and Physical Characteristics of Tomato and Carrot Plants

Abstract

Nopal (Opuntia) is a resource that is discarded after pruning complete cladodes. For this reason, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the combined use of organic matter (nopal) and goat manure on changes in soil characteristics and on the growth and yield performance of carrot and tomato plants. Physicochemical analysis of the soil and goat manure was carried out, and germination tests and physical characterization of the plants and the products obtained were performed on tomato and carrot plants after adding the components of the cladodes alone and the cladodes with goat manure. The results showed that the application of the nopal cladode components increased the cation exchange capacity of the soil. The highest germination rate was obtained by the application of liquid nopal, with a 1.7-fold increase in the germination rate of carrot seeds, while that for tomato seeds was only 14%. Similar results were obtained for the germination percentage. An increase in resistance to water stress of approximately 15 days was observed in both tomato and carrot plants. Plant development and production were achieved in tomato, with a 100% increase in carrot plant length and a threefold increase in production. The addition of nopal to the soil improved the soil characteristics and the production yield of carrots and tomatoes.