Harnessing Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Biochar and Kale Amendment to Enhance Fruit Quality and Extend the Shelf Life of Greenhouse Tomatoes
Titus Kiplagat Bawen *
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125 - 30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
Chiveu C. Josiah
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125 - 30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
Chebet K. Daniel
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125 - 30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
Pixley K. Kipsumbai
Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is considered one of the most profitable and popular vegetable crops grown in the world. The current study evaluated the individual and combined effects of AMF, biochar, and kale amendments on the physicochemical quality and shelf life of tomatoes. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomised design (CRD) for both greenhouse and laboratory experiments, each replicated four times. Evaluation of physicochemical properties was carried out on the day of harvest and shelf life was assessed for 30 days of storage at intervals of 3 days. The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and mean separations were performed using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the 5% level of significance. Compared to the control, tomatoes from plants treated with AMF, biochar, and kale showed significantly higher levels of total soluble solids (TSS) and sugar-to-acid ratio (TSS/TA). The highest total soluble solid content (5.87 °Brix) was recorded for the treatment combination of AMF and kale. In contrast, the highest sugar-to-acid ratio (12.91%) was recorded for the combination of the AMF, biochar, and kale treatments. In terms of shelf life extension, the application of AMF, biochar, and kale amendments reduced weight loss and shrinkage indices of fruits during storage compared with those of the control. The maximum weight loss (18.39%) and shrinkage index were recorded in tomato fruits from the control treatment. In contrast, the lowest values were recorded in tomato fruits from the treatment with AMF, biochar, and kale amendment, at 9.15% and 25.4%, respectively. The findings of this study showed that pre-harvest application of AMF, biochar and kale has potential to enhance the physicochemical properties and storage quality of tomatoes.
Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, biochar, TSS, TA, TSS/TA, shelf life