Effects of trichoderma and organic manures on growth, yield, fruit quality, and heat stress tolerance in tomato

Climate change pose substantial challenges to tomato production. Heat stress, in particular, affects tomato plants’ growth, yield, and fruit quality, hindering their ability to thrive. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Trichoderma and various organic manures in mitigating heat stress on the all-rounder hybrid variety of tomatoes in Nepal’s Jhapa district. The experiment employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications during the spring of 2024. Five fertilization treatments were tested: Trichoderma (5.7tons/ha), poultry manure (3.3tons/ha), goat manure (12.8tons/ha), vermicompost (0.8tons/ha), and control. The morphological key parameters of tomato plants were measured. Poultry manure application significantly increased plant height, achieving the tallest plants (51.48 cm) at 50 days after transplanting (DAT) and yielded the largest crown diameter (40.1 cm). The control group resulted in the longest internode length at 60 DAT, while goat manure produced the highest number of internodes and fruit yields, reaching 31.5 g per plant. Goat manure was also effective in promoting early flowering and fruiting stages. Vermicompost was associated with consistent flowering emergence. The study concludes that poultry manure significantly enhances tomato growth under heat stress. In contrast, goat manure and vermicompost improve yield and quality traits, suggesting a beneficial role for these organic amendments in sustainable tomato production.