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Influence of Nutritional Treatments on the Mineral of Dwarfgem
Tomato Variety (Solanum Lycopersicum Var Dwarfgem L)
Eze, Hope Nkiruka and Izundu, Alexander Ikechukwu
Botany Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
This work was carried out in collaboration between the authors. Both authors read and approved the
final manuscript.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.120800219
Received: 09 May 2025; Accepted: 06 June 2025; Published: 24 September 2025
ABSTRACT
It is known that in Nigeria, the rainy season is the planting season/period. But the rains are not friendly to all
the desired crops. The search for a tomato variety that will be high yielding and of good quality when planted
during the rainy season is still the problem of many farmers. Dwarfgem variety is high yielding but possesses
poor quality, although it can survive damping-off. This work is therefore designed to ascertain physiological
manipulations that will improve the mineral constituents of the dwarfgem tomato variety through nutritional
treatments. The study was carried out at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Seeds of dwarfgem were
obtained from Agricultural Development Program (ADP) Awka. Seeds were raised in the nursery. Twenty
pieces of 40cm plastic buckets was used to prepare two groups of media according to the treatments which
comprised of 14 buckets each filled with mixture of organic manure and soil at the standard rate of 640g/60kg
(32g/hectare) while the remaining six buckets was filled with only soil. Organic manure was goat pellets while
inorganic manure was NPK (15:15:15). Salinity, (NaCl), and Bicarbonate (H
3
C0
3
) were supplied at 2mM
concentration in the irrigation water. The buckets were arranged according to treatments in a Randomized
Completely Block Design (RCBD). Mineral was determined by standard method. Data were statistically
analyzed using ANOVA and means were separated using computer modulated Duncan Multiple Range Test
(Duncan, 1955). subjected to statistical analysis using Duncan T – test to separate the Means. The tomato
plants treated with organic and inorganic fertilizers in combination with NaCl and BICA produced fruits with
high levels of Na (600.41±0.015ppm), K (291.90±0.010ppm), Mg (148.50 ±0.010ppm) and Fe
(3.46±0.010ppm) while the least was recorded in the control. The plants treated with organic and Nitrogen
fertilizers in combination with NaCl and BICA also increased the tomato Cu content whereas the least was
produced by fruits from the control. This has shown that the treatment of dwarfgem tomato variety with
organic and inorganic fertilizer in combination with salinity and bicarbonate fully improved the fruit quality of
the plant fruit mineral.
Keywords: Tomato, dwarfgem, mineral, bicabornate, organic manure, inorganic fertilizer,
INTRODUCTION
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most popular and widely consumed important vegetable
worldwide (Gandillo et al., 1999). They are used in many processed food products such as sauces, salads,
soups, and pastes (Lenucci et al., 2006). Common nutrients reported to be present in tomatoes are vitamins,
minerals, fiber, protein, essential amino acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids and phytosterols
(Elbadrawy and Sello, 2016; Abdullahi et al., 2016; Ramos-Bueno et al., 2017; Chaudhary et al., 2018). The
combination of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fats all together contribute to making tomato part of a
balanced diet. These nutrients perform various body functions including constipation prevention, reduction in
high blood pressure, stimulation of blood circulation, maintenance of lipid profile and body fluids,
detoxification of body toxins and maintaining bone structure as well as strength (Salehi et al., 2019;
Campertrini et al., 2019).
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Tomatoes are also an excellent source of bioactive compounds, commonly known as secondary metabolites,
the concentrations of which are correlated with the prevention of human chronic degenerative diseases, such as
cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases (Cheng et al.,2019; Li et al., 2020;
Park et al., 2020). Tomato is an important dietary source of both soluble and insoluble dietary fibers, namely
cellulose, hemicelluloses and pectins (Claye et al., 1996). In general, these fibers are resistant to intestinal
digestion in the large intestine and are believed to ameliorate bowel disorders, cancer, diabetes, CVDs, and
obesity (Delzenne et al., 2020; Merenkova et al., 2020). Nutritional composition of tomato varies based on the
tomato cultivar, extraction procedures, analysis methods and environmental conditions.
Nutrients when in adequate quantity, increases fruit quality, fruit size, colour, and fruit taste of tomato and also
helps in increasing desirable acidic flavour (Azad, 2000). The use of organic manure alone is faced with
problems of bulkiness and dirt. A balanced use of organic and inorganic fertilizers could enhance soil
chemical, physical and biological properties as well as rate of nutrient turn over within the soil-plant system
(Okwu, 2004).
Diseases and infestations are well known factors that decrease crop yields and expand production costs.
Disease infestation is mostly controlled by using chemicals which occasionally reaches the level of toxicity.
Currently, it is evident that improvement of tomato crop is a critical task that needs to overcome the constraint
of tomato production. Damping off is a serious disease of tomato and other vegetables such as beans, okra,
egg-plant and flowers with up to 30% yield loss (Badadoost and Islam, 2003: Bacharis et al., 2010; Horst,
2013). In light of the high economic impact of damping off and negative environmental effects generated by
conventional fungicide-based control strategies, there is need to develop alternative and sustainable solutions
to manage damping off. Nature has provided a great wealth of resistances that are available in the wild species
and many of these resistances are simply inherited.
To increase the chances of fruit supply, human ancestors domesticated wild plant species into cultivated crops.
It has been shown that a large genetic variation is present and exploitable from wild Solanum species but most
of it is still untapped. These genetic variations present in the wild species have been investigated intensively
for specific traits and it is being exploited in tomato breeding (Larry and Joanne, 2007).
Since the dwarfgem variety of the tomato is a well known type, that is naturally high yielding and is resistant
to damping- off, but possess poor structural and nutritional qualities: this study was designed to ascertain the
nutritional treatment that will improve the mineral composition of the dwarfgem tomato. This will help farmers
to produce quality as well as high yielding tomato fruits even during the rainy season
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area: This work was carried out at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. Anambra State
is located in the south-eastern part of Nigeria and lies between latitudes 6
o
13
’
and 16
’
N and longitude 7
o
4
’
and
7
o
41
’
E and Altitude 160.8m respectively (Ezenwaji et al., 2014; CLSI, 2008). The research is based on the
influence of nutritional treatments on the mineral content of dwarfgem tomato variety (Solanum lycopersicum
var dwarfgem L.).
Source of materials: Tomato seeds of the variety dwarf gem used for this experiment were procured from
Agricultural Development Program (ADP) Awka, under special arrangement with an Extension officer with
Awka South Local Government. In selecting for seed extraction, efforts were made to collect fruits from self-
pollinated variety so as to maintain true to type. The seeds were extracted and washed thoroughly with tap
water. The washed seeds were air dried under room temperature and stored in air tight plastic containers prior
to use.
Plastic containers (40cm) were used and they were perforated below for easy drainage of water, a mesh
(0.2mm-0.5mm) was cut and placed inside the bucket to hold the soil.
Prior to planting, the seeds were soaked in water for 3 hours to aid imbibition.
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Nutritional chemicals were procured from Gepet Laboratory Chemicals and Equipment Ltd Onitsha in
Anambra State. NPK fertilizer 15:15:15 was supplied by the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP)
Awka. Farm yard manure (goat pellets) was obtained from a goat rearer at Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State.
Source of soil: The soil used for planting was excavated from an abandoned farmland within Nnamdi Azikiwe
University, Awka.
Preparation of nursery: Four plastic containers measuring 48cm×28cm×20cm (L×B×H) were perforated
below and filled with sandy- loam soil. The soil filled plastic containers were watered for four days before
planting.
Planting and Germination: The seeds were planted by broadcast method; the broadcast seeds were covered
with light layer of soil to encourage imbibition. The set-up was watered every 2 days, and continued till
transplanting. This maintained the temperature of the soil within 20
o
C and 24
o
C, the standard temperature for
optimum tomato seed germination (Garza and Molina, 2008).
Transplanting: A total of twenty plastic buckets were used for this experiment. Fourteen out of the twenty
plastic buckets used were each filled with a mixture of soil and organic manure. This mixture of soil and
organic manure was prepared at the rate of 30kg soil to 0.32kg/hectare organic manure. Six similar plastic
buckets were also filled with 30kg of soil only. All the soil filled plastic buckets were watered daily for three
days before transplanting.
Following germination of tomato seeds in the nursery, the seedlings were transplanted after 28 days of growth
(28 DAP). Three plants were transplanted into each of the plastic buckets in the evening and watered day and
night for 14 days to encourage stabilization. The plastic buckets were separated based on treatments and each
group clearly identified in the field. Following stabilization, the three plants in each bucket were thinned down
to two plants per bucket and their respective treatments were applied as in the design.
Treatment
Using randomized complete block design, the plastic buckets were separated into ten treatments which
included the control. Each treatment comprised of two buckets.
The treatments were distributed as below;
1.Control
2.Organic
3.Inorganic
4.Organic + Inorganic
5.Organic + Salinity + Bicarbonate
6.Inorganic + Salinity + Bicarbonate
7.Organic +Inorganic+ Salinity + Bicarbonate
8.Organic + Nitrogen + Salinity + Bicarbonate
9.Organic + Phosphorus + Salinity + Bicarbonate
10.Organic + Potassium + Salinity + Bicarbonate
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Plants which received inorganic fertilizer treatments were treated with the fertilizer NPK 15:15:15) using the
ring method. The fertilizer was supplied at the rate of 5g per plant as a single dose fourteen days after
transplanting (14 DAT) when the plants were already stabilized.
Farm yard manure (Goat pellets)
The 30kg of soil contained by each bucket used for organic manure treatments was incorporate with
0.32kg/hectare of organic manure. The manure was mixed with the soil and buckets were filled. Thereafter, the
set-up was watered for 7 days to aid ammonification before plants were introduced.
Preparation of stock solutions
The following compounds were used to access improvement in the nutritional content of the plants. For each
nutrient, 2mM concentration was prepared
i. For Nitrogen source: Sodium nitrate ( NaNO
3
)
ii. Phosphorus source: Sodium biphosphate
iii. Bicarbonate source: Potassium hydrogen carbonates (K
2
HCO
3
)
iv. Salinity: Sodium Chloride (Nacl)
v. Potassium source: Potassium nitrate (KNO
3
)
First, 2M stock solution of each nutrient was prepared. From this, 2mM concentration of the required nutrition
was prepared in 80 litres container of water for irrigation. The irrigation of plants commenced after
fertilization of plants.
Control
Plastic buckets containing the control plants had only 30kg of soil.
Measurement
Fruits were harvested at 10 days interval for three consecutive times representing the initial, second and final
harvests. Each assay or measurement was in triplicate and results were obtained as mean of three
determinations
MINERAL ANALYSIS
Mineral analysis was conducted using Varian AA240 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer according to the
method of APHA 1995 (American Public Health Association)
Principle:
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer principle is based on the sample being aspirated into the flame and then
atomized when the AAS light is directed through the flame into the monochromator, and onto the detector that
measures the amount of light absorbed by the atomized element in the flame. Since metals have their own
characteristic absorption wavelength, a source lamp composed of that element was used, making the method
relatively free from spectral or radiational interferences. The amount of energy of the characteristic wavelength
absorbed in the flame was proportional to the concentration of the element in the sample.
Sample digestion:
Two grams (2g) of the dried sample was weighed into a digestion flask and 20ml of acid mixture (650ml conc.
HNO
3
; 80ml perchloric acid; 20ml conc. H
2
SO
4
) was added.
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The flask was heated until a clear digest was obtained
The digest was diluted with distilled water to the100ml mark.
The sample was thoroughly mixed by shaking, and 100ml of it was transferred into a glass beaker of 250ml
volume to which 5ml of conc. nitric acid was added and then
heated to boil till the volume was reduced to about 15-20ml, by adding conc. nitric acid in increments of 5ml
till all the residue was completely dissolved. The mixture was cooled, transferred and made up to 100ml using
metal-free distilled water. The sample was aspirated into the oxidizing air-acetylene flame. When the aqueous
sample was aspirated, the sensitivity for 1% absorption was observed.
Preparation of reference solution:
A series of standard mineral solutions in the optimum concentration range were prepared, the reference
solutions were prepared daily by diluting the single stock element solutions with water containing 1.5ml conc.
nitric acid/liter. A calibration blank was prepared using all the reagents except for the metal stock solutions.
Calibration curve for each metal was prepared by plotting the absorbance of the standard versus their
concentrations
Data Analysis
Data were collected from each assay in triplicate and results obtained were expressed as means ± standard
deviation. Means (of three determinations) ± standard deviation.Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used and
Test of significance was further carried out using Duncan´s Multiple Range Test of (Duncan, 1955). The
means were separated using Least significant Difference. Test of significance was conducted at 95% level of
probability.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Fruit Zinc Content
Analysis of the mineral content of the tomato fruits showed that Zinc gave the highest value of
3.14±0.001ppm, in the plant treated with organic fertilizer in combination with Nitrogen, Nacl and BICA. This
was significantly higher than that obtained from other treatments. The least value of 0.97±0.001ppm was
obtained from the fruits of the control plant (P<0.003). (Table 1)
Table 1: Zinc (Zn) composition of tomato fruits as influenced by Treatments
Treatments
Zinc Contents (ppm)
T1
0.97 ± 0.001
j
T2
1.66 ± 0.002
e
T3
1.17 ± 0.001
i
T4
1.88 ± 0.001
b
T5
1.34 ± 0.002
g
T6
T7
1.25 ± 0.002
h
1.70 ± 0.001
c
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T8
3.14± 0.001
a
T9
1.69 ± 0.001
d
T10
1.65 ± 0.001
f
*Values with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.003)
Where;
T1=Control T2 = organic
T3 = inorganic T4= organic/inorganic
T5=organic/Nacl/BICA T6=inorganic/Nacl/BICA
T7=organic/inorganic/Nacl/BICA T8=organic/Nitrogen/Nacl/BICA
T9=organic/Phosphorus/Nacl/BICA T10=organic/Potassium/Nacl/BICA
Fruit Calcium Content
Calcium content assay revealed that the tomato plant treated with organic fertilizer in combination with
Nitrogen, Nacl and BICA gave the highest value of 150.10±0.021ppm. The value obtained from this treatment
was significantly higher than that obtained from the other treatments. This value was followed by the one
obtained from the plant treated with organic and inorganic fertilizers with a value of 124.40±0.020ppm. The
control plant fruits gave the least calcium value, of 80.20±0.010ppm (P<0.029). (Table 2)
Table 2: Calcium (Ca) composition of tomato fruits as influenced by Treatments
Treatments
Calcium Contents (ppm)
T1
80.20 ± 0.010
j
T2
116.40 ± 0.010
c
T3
99.70 ± 0.020
h
T4
124.40 ± 0.020
b
T5
100.30 ± 0.010
g
T6
98.80 ± 0.030
i
T7
100.90 ± 0.010
f
T8
150.10± 0.021
a
T9
109.50 ± 0.010
e
T10
112.20 ± 0.010
d
*Values with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.029).
Where;
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T1=Control T2 = organic
T3 = inorganic T4= organic/inorganic
T5=organic/Nacl/BICA T6=inorganic/Nacl/BICA
T7=organic/inorganic/Nacl/BICA T8=organic/Nitrogen/Nacl/BICA
T9=organic/Phosphorus/Nacl/BICA T10=organic/Potassium/Nacl/BICA
Fruit Sodium Content
Sodium content assay of the fruit showed that the tomato plant treated with organic and inorganic fertilizers, in
combination with Nacl and BICA gave the highest value of 600.41±0.015ppm. This value was followed by
514.30±0.020ppm, obtained by the plant grown with inorganic fertilizer in combination with Nacl and BICA.
The control plants had the least sodium content of 424.20±0.015ppm (P>0.301). (Table 3)
Table 3: Sodium (Na) composition of tomato fruits as influenced by Treatments
Treatments
Sodium Contents (ppm)
T1
424.20 ± 0.015
j
T2
438.70 ± 0.010
i
T3
447.70 ± 0.010
h
T4
452.40 ± 0.015
g
T5
513.00 ± 0.020
c
T6
514.30 ± 0.020
b
T7
600.41 ± 0.015
a
T8
492.00 ± 0.000
d
T9
453.40 ± 0.010
f
T10
471.20 ± 0.017
e
*Values with different superscripts are significantly different (P>0.301).
Where;
T1=Control T2 = organic
T3 = inorganic T4= organic/inorganic
T5=organic/Nacl/BICA T6=inorganic/Nacl/BICA
T7=organic/inorganic/Nacl/BICA T8=organic/Nitrogen/Nacl/BICA
T9=organic/Phosphorus/Nacl/BICA T10=organic/Potassium/Nacl/BICA
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Fruit Iron Content
Iron (Fe) content assay of the fruit revealed that the highest value of 3.46±0.001ppm, was obtained from the
tomato plants treated with organic and inorganic fertilizers in combination with Nacl and BICA. This was
followed by a value of 3.26±0.001ppm obtained from the plant grown with organic fertilizer in combination
with Phosphorus, Nacl and BICA. The least value, 1.60±0.001ppm, was obtained from the plant fed with
inorganic fertilizer (P<0.043). (Table 4).
Table 4: Iron (Fe) composition of tomato fruits as influenced by Treatments
Treatments
Iron Contents (ppm)
T1
1.94 ± 0.002
i
T2
2.47 ± 0.001
f
T3
1.60 ± 0.001
j
T4
2.73 ± 0.017
e
T5
1.96 ± 0.001
h
T6
2.23 ± 0.001
g
T7
3.46 ± 0.001
a
T8
2.90± 0.001
c
T9
3.26 ± 0.001
b
T10
2.82 ± 0.001
d
*Values with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.043).
Where;
T1=Control T2 = organic
T3 = inorganic T4= organic/inorganic
T5=organic/Nacl/BICA T6=inorganic/Nacl/BICA
T7=organic/inorganic/Nacl/BICA T8=organic/Nitrogen/Nacl/BICA
T9=organic/Phosphorus/Nacl/BICA T10=organic/Potassium/Nacl/BICA
Fruit Magnesium Content
Magnesium (Mg) content of the tomato fruit showed that the plant fed with organic and inorganic fertilizers
gave the highest value of 148.50±0.010ppm. This was followed by the value of 111.50±0.010ppm, from the
plant grown with organic manure. The control gave the least value of 97.90±0.020ppm. Differences among the
treatments were significant (P<0.000). (Table 5).
Table 5: Magnesium (Mg) composition of tomato fruits as influenced by Treatments
Treatments
Magnesium Contents (ppm)
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T1
97.90 ± 0.020
h
T2
111.40 ± 0.010
b
T3
110.50 ± 0.010
c
T4
148.50 ± 0.010
a
T5
98.50 ± 0.020
g
T6
87.70 ± 0.020
i
T7
110.40 ± 0.020
d
T8
105.60± 0.010
e
T9
98.50 ± 0.010
g
T10
99.33 ± 0.042
f
*Values with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.000).
Where;
T1=Control T2 = organic
T3 = inorganic T4= organic/inorganic
T5=organic/Nacl/BICA T6=inorganic/Nacl/BICA
T7=organic/inorganic/Nacl/BICA T8=organic/Nitrogen/Nacl/BICA
T9=organic/Phosphorus/Nacl/BICA T10=organic/Potassium/Nacl/BICA
Fruit Phosphorus Content
The fruit Phosphorus content revealed that the plant treated with organic manure in combination with
Phosphorus, Nacl and BICA, gave the highest value of 275.90±0.010ppm. The value, 265.50±0.020ppm was
obtained from the plant grown with organic and inorganic fertilizers. The least value, 234.80±0.010ppm was
obtained from the plant fed with organic fertilizer in combination with Nacl and BICA (P>0.977). (Table 6)
Table 6: Phosphorus (P) composition of tomato fruits as influenced by Treatments
Treatments
Phosphorus Contents (ppm)
T1
241.10 ± 0.020
h
T2
251.10 ± 0.000
e
T3
249.40 ± 0.020
g
T4
T5
265.50 ± 0.020
b
234.80 ± 0.010
j
T6
236.10 ± 0.000
i
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T7
250.40 ± 0.017
f
T8
263.90± 0.010
c
T9
275.90± 0.010
a
T10
260.10 ± 0.010
d
*Values with different superscripts are significantly different (P>0.977).
Where;
T1=Control T2 = organic
T3 = inorganic T4= organic/inorganic
T5=organic/Nacl/BICA T6=inorganic/Nacl/BICA
T7=organic/inorganic/Nacl/BICA T8=organic/Nitrogen/Nacl/BICA
T9=organic/Phosphorus/Nacl/BICA T10=organic/Potassium/Nacl/BICA
Fruit Potassium Content
The fruit Potassium content was observed to have the highest value (291.90±0.010ppm) in the plants grown
with organic and inorganic fertilizers. However, the differences between that and the potassium content of
those fruits whose plants were treated with organic and inorganic fertilizers. in combination with Nacl and
BICA and organic fertilizer in combination with Potassium, Nacl and BICA were not significant. The least
value of 222.40±0.010ppm was obtained from the plant supplied with inorganic fertilizer, Nacl and BICA
combination (P>0.144). (Table 7)
Table 7: Potassium (K) composition of tomato fruits as influenced by Treatments
Treatments
Potassium Contents (ppm)
T1
232.60 ± 0.010
e
T2
277.00 ± 0.000
b
T3
240.30 ± 0.188
d
T4
291.90 ± 0.010
a
T5
239.10 ± 0.020
d
T6
222.40 ± 0.010
f
T7
290.40 ± 0.017
a
T8
239.40± 0.010
d
T9
245.20 ± 0.010
c
T10
289.10 ± 0.010
a
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*Values with different superscripts are significantly different (P>0.144)
Where;
T1=Control T2 = organic
T3 = inorganic T4= organic/inorganic
T5=organic/Nacl/BICA T6=inorganic/Nacl/BICA
T7=organic/inorganic/Nacl/BICA T8=organic/Nitrogen/Nacl/BICA
T9=organic/Phosphorus/Nacl/BICA T10=organic/Potassium/Nacl/BICA
Fruit Cupper Content
Copper (Cu) content of the fruit of tomato indicated that the tomato plants supplied with organic and inorganic
fertilizers gave the highest value of 0.99±0.001ppm. This was followed by a value of 0.98±0.001ppm, obtained
from the plants fed with inorganic fertilizer, Nacl and BICA combination. The least value of 0.43±0.001ppm
was obtained from the plants grown with organic fertilizer, Potassium, Nacl and BICA combinations
(P>0.093). (Table 8).
Table 8: Copper (Cu) composition of tomato fruits as influenced by Treatments
Treatments
Cupper Contents (ppm)
T1
0.48 ± 0.002
gh
T2
0.56 ± 0.002
e
T3
0.96 ± 0.001
c
T4
0.99 ± 0.001
a
T5
0.48 ± 0.002
g
T6
0.98 ± 0.001
b
T7
0.60 ± 0.001
d
T8
0.55± 0.001
f
T9
0.45 ± 0.001
i
T10
0.43 ± 0.001
j
*Values with different superscripts are significantly different (P>0.093)
Where;
T1=Control T2 = organic
T3 = inorganic T4= organic/inorganic
T5=organic/Nacl/BICA T6=inorganic/Nacl/BICA
T7=organic/inorganic/Nacl/BICA T8=organic/Nitrogen/Nacl/BICA
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T9=organic/Phosphorus/Nacl/BICA T10=organic/Potassium/Nacl/BICA
Fruit Molybdenum Content
Molybdenum (Mo) content of the tomato fruit showed that the highest value of 0.96±0.001ppm, was obtained
from the tomato plants supplied with organic and inorganic fertilizers in combination with Nacl and BICA.
The least value of 0.05±0.000ppm was attained from the plants treated with organic fertilizer, Phosphorus,
Nacl and BICA (P<0.000). (Table 9).
Table 9: Molybdenum (Mo) composition of tomato fruits as influenced by Treatments
Treatments
Molybdenum Contents (ppm)
T1
0.05 ± 0.002
g
T2
0.11 ± 0.001
c
T3
0.12 ± 0.001
b
T4
0.12 ± 0.017
b
T5
0.08 ± 0.001
de
T6
0.08 ± 0.001
d
T7
0.96 ± 0.001
a
T8
0.06± 0.001
f
T9
0.05 ± 0.001
g
T10
0.05 ± 0.001
g
*Values with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.000).
Where;
T1=Control T2 = organic
T3 = inorganic T4= organic/inorganic
T5=organic/Nacl/BICA T6=inorganic/Nacl/BICA
T7=organic/inorganic/Nacl/BICA T8=organic/Nitrogen/Nacl/BICA
T9=organic/Phosphorus/Nacl/BICA T10=organic/Potassium/Nacl/BICA
DISCUSSION
The above results indicated enhancement in fruit quality and in mineral composition of fruit as Mg and Cu
contents were highest in the tomato fruit treated with organic and inorganic fertilizers. Iron was highest in the
fruit treated with inorganic fertilizer in combination with Nacl and BICA while Na and Mo were highest in the
plants grown with organic and inorganic fertilizers in combination with Nacl and BICA. These results are in
agreement with the work of Zeid et al. (2015), who observed that inorganic doses of NPK application in
combination with organic materials stimulated the accumulation of nutrient elements in both leaves and tubers
of radish plants as compared with inorganic fertilizer alone. This might be due to the synergistic effect between
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
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inorganic fertilizers and organic materials for increasing soil available macro and micro nutrient status. The
results indicated the importance of the conjunctive use of organic and inorganic fertilizer for creating proper
condition to get the maximum benefit of the native elements.
The promotion of Zn and Ca contents by organic fertilizer in combination with Nitrogen, NaCl and BICA may
be in line with the availability of these applied nutrients to the plant within the rhizosphere. These substances
cannot antagonize each other, thereby, allowing the plant to take them up for maximum utilization.
The highest improvement of tomato fruit Sodium, Iron and Magnesium contents by organic and inorganic
fertilizer in combination of Nacl and BICA may be as a result of a balance created by organic and inorganic
fertilizer as well as Nacl and BICA such that these minerals which are favoured by alkalinity were synthesized
by plants when their environments are favourable through nutritional supply (Dutta, 2003).
Phosphorus, Potassium and Copper compositions were strongly promoted by treatments involving organic and
inorganic fertilizer even in the presence of Nacl and BICA. This clearly shows the ability of plants to allocate
photosynthates directly as synthesis progresses. The supply of both organic and inorganic fertilizer shows a
condition similar to full strength nutrient solution which would allow plants to absorb maximum nutrient need
and allocate the products to the desired plant part (Izundu et al., 2011a). In this case, the fruit took the highest
allocation.
The promotion of highest Molybdenum content in tomato fruits of the plants treated with organic manure, Nacl
and BICA is in line with the reports of Izundu et al. (20…….). They explained that the molybdoenzymes are
activated/induced by Nacl and BICA thereby, increasing molybdenum pool in the tomato fruit.
Mofunanya et al. (2015) reported that organic fertilizer produced higher mineral composition of Zn, Cu, Mg, k,
Fe, Ca, Na assnd P in Amaranthus spinosus than inorganic fertilizer in all the plant samples studied. Zn, Ca,
and N were highest in the tomato treated with organic fertilizer in combination with Nitrogen, Nacl and BICA.
For P and K, their highest values were in the plants treated with organic fertilizer in combination with
Phosphorus, Nacl and BICA and organic fertilizer in combination with Potassium, Nacl and BICA
respectively. These results are in line with those reported
Although Nacl treatment induces stress such as its Cl
-
interference with No
3
-
flux into roots, introduction of
HCO
3
-
(bicarbonate) improved Nacl treated plants incorporation of nutrients especially when other nutrients as
organic and inorganic fertilizers are available. This is corroborated by the result of this research where
treatments in combination with Nacl and BICA accumulated higher minerals. Thomas and Langdale (1980)
had reported that increased nitrate fertilization in the medium improved growth of Nacl- treated plants more
than plants without Nacl treatment.
The general increase in fruit mineral contents as a result of organic manures application in combinations with
inorganic fertilizer and other mineral nutrition might be due to the enhancement of soil properties and soil
fertility by organic soil amendments (Kaur et al 2005) which might lead to increased available nutrients and
their uptake (Kanal and Kuldkepp, 1993). Moreover similar increase in fruit mineral contents by organic
manures alone or in combination with mineral source were obtained by Attala et al. (2003) working on
Samany and Zaghloul date cultivars.
CONCLUSION
The present research has been able to show that nutritional treatment in form of organic and inorganic fertilizer
in combination with salinity and bicarbonate totally improved the fruit quality of dwarfgem tomato. The
mineral content of dwarfgem tomato were variously improved to a level that presents this tomato variety as
desired for quality tomato production. Although Nacl affects the transport pathways of plants, the combination
with BICA ameliorates its uptake and even allows nutrient reduction in the root. Hence the plant treated with
both nutrients have two points of reduction viz, the root and the leaf, This means that in the translocation of
materials up the plant, reduced substances like amides are moved to prioritized parts for quick incorporation.
Treatment of plants with both organic and inorganic fertilizer and the increased zone of nutrient allocation
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
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through introduction of Nacl and BICA has provided farmers a solution on how to satisfy consumers of tomato
even during the rainy season by applying the physiological manipulation to dwarfgem variety
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