Comparative Study of Fertilizers in Tomato-Grown Soils: Soil Quality, Sustainability, and Carbon/Water Footprints

Abstract

This manuscript delves into the pivotal role of sustainable agriculture in addressing environmental challenges and meeting the nutritional demands of a burgeoning global population. The primary objective is to assess the impact of a recently developed eco-friendly fertilizer, denoted as SBO, which arises from the blend of organic and mineral components derived from agricultural waste, sulfur, and residual orange materials. These elements are bound together with bentonite. This study compares SBO with distinct fertilizer treatments, including horse manure (HM) and nitrogen–phosphorous–potassium (NPK), on two diverse tomato-growing soils, each characterized by unique chemical and biological properties. Furthermore, the research extends to evaluate the environmental implications of these fertilizers, with a specific focus on their carbon and water footprints. Soils have been chemically and biochemically analyzed, and carbon and water footprints (CF and WF, respectively) have been assessed. The results reveal substantial enhancements in soil quality with the application of SBO fertilizer. Both soils undergo a transition towards near-neutral pH levels, an increase in organic matter content, and heightened microbial biomass. SBO-treated soils exhibit notably superior enzyme activities. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results affirm the sustainability of the SBO-based system, boasting the lowest CF, while NPK demonstrates the highest environmental impact. Consistently, the WF analysis aligns with these findings, indicating that SBO necessitates the least water for tomato production. In summary, this study underscores the critical importance of adopting sustainable fertilization practices for enhancing soil quality and reducing environmental footprints in agriculture. The promising results offer potential benefits for both food production and environmental conservation.

Regulated Deficit Irrigation to Boost Processing Tomato Sustainability and Fruit Quality

“…RDI provides adequate water only during critical development periods that may affect yields [15,16]. The effectiveness of water-saving techniques may vary depending on seasonal weather conditions, cultivation site, genotype, fertilization management, and the timing of deficit induction [17][18][19][20]. In Mediterranean and semi-arid environments, DI and RDI would save water resources and increase water productivity [21].…”

Carbon Footprint Reduction by Reclaiming Condensed Water

“…It was found that energy savings and CF reduction can be achieved through water management and treatment technologies, including proactive maintenance to extend the operational life of equipment and aging infrastructure. In [4], the environmental impact of a newly developed eco-friendly fertilizer was assessed, taking into account carbon and water footprints, through LCA. The study aimed to evaluate the implications of the fertilizer on the environment.…”