Abstract:
This study aims to evaluate the nutritional and organoleptic quality of field-grown tomatoes in
Burundi using vermicompost and chemical fertilizers. It was conducted in a completely
randomized block design (CRBD) with four blocks and four replicates. The plant material used
in this experiment was the “Tengeru 97” variety of tomato. A sample of 128 plants was
randomly selected from 192 plants. The mean concentration of vitamin C and the mean
concentration of protein were compared to the theoretical mean concentration of 18.92 mg/100g
and 12.65 respectively using one-sample Student’s t-test. Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
and Hierarchical Clustering based on Principal Components (HCPC) were applied to continuous
variables related to the tasting scores attributed to the piece of tomato. Findings showed that
applying vermicompost at an optimal dose of 210 g led to the higher concentration of vitamin C
(41.1 mg/100 g). The same treatment achieved the highest tasting score (3.7). Tomatoes grown
using chemical fertilizers showed lower mean score (2.1) for these sensory qualities. Cluster
analysis showed three groups of individuals. These results highlighted the potential of
vermicompost as a sustainable and effective alternative to chemical fertilizers for improving the
nutritional and organoleptic qualities of tomatoes, while promoting environmentally-friendly
agriculture and preserving human health. |
