Anaerobic digestates from cow dung and food waste as fertilizers: Effect on tomato growth and yield

Abstract

Organic farming systems aim to reduce chemical inputs including fertilizers and ensure sustainable and eco-friendly production while recycling local renewable resources such as organic wastes. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of two anaerobic digestates on tomato yield and growth in open field conditions. Digestates consisting of cattle dung and food waste from a 15 m3 demountable digester and fixed-dome digester, respectively, were applied to tomato cultivation using tree fertilization treatments: 1) raw (PD100) and 2) diluted up to 50% (PD50) cattle dung digestate, 3) food waste digestate (DD), and an unfertilized treatment (control) for 21 weeks. The results showed that tomato plants fertilized with PD50 and DD were significantly higher (+34% and +33%, respectively) compared to the control and PD100 (p<0.05), and all digestate treatments significantly (p<0.05) enhanced plant elongation compared to the control. This study suggests that anaerobic digestates can be a helpful alternative in the perspective of partial substitution of chemical fertilizers for sustainable tomato production.