Randomized trial examines soil organic carbon loss and nitrogen mineralization in greenhouse tomatoes, suggesting improved management may benefit soil health.
Key Points
This study aims to quantify soil organic carbon loss and nitrogen mineralization in successive greenhouse tomato crops.
Monitored soil organic carbon and nitrogen dynamics over five tomato growing seasons.
Calculated SOC loss between crop cycles and compared results with open-field models.
Performed nitrogen mass balance to assess net soil nitrogen mineralization.
Total SOC loss over three years was 11.3 Mg ha-1 (25.6%), nearly double the predicted open-field loss (6.6 Mg ha-1, 14.6%).
Maximum annual mineralized nitrogen in 2019 was 594 kg ha-1, compared to 398.3 kg ha-1 in 2021.
SOC loss and nitrogen mineralization rates decreased over successive crops, negatively impacting tomato yield without fertilization.