Effect of vermicompost soil additive on growth  performance, physiological and biochemical responses  of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. Firenze)  to salt stress

Samra Akef Bziouech,; Najla Dhen; Sondes Helaoui; Imen Ben Ammar; Bouthaina Al Mohandes Dridi

doi:10.9755/ejfa.2022.v34.i4.2844

Authors

Samra Akef Bziouech, Research laboratory «Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology» LR21AGR02, High Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Mariem, Sousse University, Sousse, Tunisia
Najla Dhen Research laboratory «Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology» LR21AGR02, High Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Mariem, Sousse University, Sousse, Tunisia
Sondes Helaoui Research laboratory «Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology» LR21AGR02, High Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Mariem, Sousse University, Sousse, Tunisia
Imen Ben Ammar Research laboratory «Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology» LR21AGR02, High Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Mariem, Sousse University, Sousse, Tunisia
Bouthaina Al Mohandes Dridi Research laboratory «Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology» LR21AGR02, High Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Mariem, Sousse University, Sousse, Tunisia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9755/ejfa.2022.v34.i4.2844

Abstract

Vermicomposting is increasing used to process food, sewage and other organic wastes through the breakdown by earthworms. Vermicompost
addition to soils can improve plant growth through increasing the accessability of nutrients and lowering levels of contaminants found in
other compost products. This study examins the effect of vermicompost on salinity tolerance in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum
L., var. Firenze) via greenhouse pot experiments. Plants were grown on 4 substrates designated by letter identifiers: A control, “T” with
100% organic soil; a vermicompost treatment “Vc” was 80% organic soil + 20% Vermicompost; a compost treatment “C” was 80%
organic soil + 20% Compost; and a mixture treatment “M” was 80% organic soil + 10% Vermicompost+ 10% Compost. The four
treatment groups were exposed to 3 NaCl concentrations (0, 50 and 150 mM); the experimenta; design within the greenhouse was
complete randomized block. The plants’ response to salinity stress was evaluated through morphological (shoot length, stem diameter, leaves
number, root length, shoot and root fresh and dry weight), physiological (Chla, Chlb and Carotenoid) and biochemical (malondialdehyde
(MDA) and catalase (CAT)) parameters. All measured parameters were significantly different between the four soil treatments. Plants
grown on Vc substrate showed an improved growth and a better resistance to salinity stress. Analyzed parameters were positively
influenced by the contribution of the organic matter (Vermicompost, compost and a mixture of the two) which plays a role in the slow,
consistent release of mineral elements and provides soluble nutrients to reduce abiotic stresses. In conclusion, vermicompost could be a
relevant method for reducing salt stress on tomato plants growth, addressing the challenges of growing food crops in drier, more saline
contaminated envvironments.