Swine effluent compared to inorganic fertilizers for tomato production

Five fertilizer treatments, three of which included swine effluent, were evaluated for plasticulture production of tomato, cv. Mountain Spring, grown on raised beds with black polyethylene mulch and drip irrigation at two locations in northern Mississippi in 1999. Treatments differed in the relative portion of total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) supplied by effluent, inorganic preplant, or inorganic soluble sources. Yields averaged 51,300 and 52,200 kg ha(-1) at the Verona and Pontotoc locations, respectively, and were mostly extra-large fruit. Treatments that received swine effluent produced marketable yields and relative number of marketable fruit equal to treatments that received fertilizers from inorganic preplant or soluble sources. These results show that swine effluent was an effective source of nutrients compared to conventional sources for production of tomato. Differences in the predominate nitrogen form, that is, nitrate nitrogen (NO3- N) and ammonium nitrogen (NH4+ N) from inorganic fertilizers compared to mostly NH4+ N from effluent, did not affect yield or quality In addition, swine effluent was easily applied through a typical drip irrigation system using common management practices. Drip irrigation, in combination with plastic mulch, may provide increased application efficiency and reduced odor and nutrient runoff during the growing season compared to current methods of effluent application to other crops.