Recommendation of nutrient management by optimizing tomato yield and quality: An Entropy Weight Method-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (EWM-TOPSIS) Approach

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are among the most extensively consumed vegetables worldwide, valued for their nutritional advantages and culinary adaptability. The study compares the impact of chemical fertilizers and organic amendments on tomatoes for better production and quality, utilizing the Entropy Weight Method- Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (EWM-TOPSIS) model for optimization. A two-year study in the acid lateritic soils of eastern India evaluated seven fertilizer treatments, comprising a control-TA, chemical fertilizers at 100% (CF100)-TB, vermicompost (VC100)-TC, enriched vermicompost (EVC100)-TD, CF50-TE, EVC50-TF and integrated EVC50+CF50-TG combinations. The enhanced vermicompost included neem cake, dolomite, bone meal, rock phosphate, and Trichoderma viride to improve nutritional composition. The metrics measured comprised yield, size, colour, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity. Results demonstrated that VC100 and EVC100 treatments significantly enhanced quality attributes, such as firmness, TSS, and antioxidant content, outperforming CF100 in nutritional value. The EWM-TOPSIS model ranked VC100 highest overall, followed by EVC100 and integrated treatment, highlighting their potential for sustainable production. This study emphasizes the utility of data-driven decision-making models like EWM-TOPSIS in optimizing the recommendation of nutrient management for increased productivity as well as higher quality. Future work should focus on refining organic fertilizer formulations and promoting broader adoption to meet growing consumer demands for eco-friendly, nutritious produce.