Soil remineralizer as a replacement for chemical fertilization in industrial tomato cultivation

Tomato is one of the major agricultural crops globally, widely consumed both fresh and processed. However, the high cost of production in Brazil, particularly due to the reliance on imported fertilizers, presents a significant challenge to the production. One alternative for fertilizing crops is the application of soil remineralizers (REM) as a substitute for soluble fertilizers. This study aimed to evaluate the use of Ipirá Fértil® REM in industrial tomato cultivation as a substitute for NPK fertilizers during planting. An experiment was conducted at Fazenda Galheiros in Januária/MG, Brazil, using two treatments: 3 t.ha-1 of Ipirá Fértil® REM and 1.2 t.ha-1 of NPK (4-30-10) in the furrow. Soil and leaf samples were analyzed for nutrient content, and tomato production was assessed in terms of the mass of ripe and green fruits, number of rotten fruits, and Brix degrees. The results showed that REM fertilization did not significantly affect tomato yield compared to NPK fertilization. Both treatments resulted in a similar quantity of nutrients in the soil and leaves, although plants treated with REM accumulated more silicon in their leaves. The study suggests that REM can replace NPK fertilizers in tomato cultivation without compromising productivity and may improve plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors. REM's slow-release properties make it a sustainable alternative to soluble fertilizers, offering long-term benefits with reduced environmental impact.