Impact of Ten-Year Straw and Lime Management History on Soil Micronutrient Availability and Tomato Yield in Greenhouse

Long-term fertilization strategies are crucial for sustainable soil health and crop productivity. However, the synergistic effect of combining straw with lime in long-term fertilization remains underexplored, particularly regarding soil micronutrient availability and tomato yield. This study examined the 10-year effects of chicken manure (M) with straw (S) and/or lime (Ca) on soil properties, micronutrient availability, and tomato yield. The results demonstrated that all of the fertilization treatments significantly altered topsoil (0–20 cm) characteristics, reducing the pH but increasing the EC and nutrient content. The combined MSCa treatment was most effective, achieving the highest levels of total carbon (19 g/kg) and tomato yield (5.6 kg/m2), which was 12–87% higher than that achieved with the other treatments. Fertilization also significantly increased the diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn concentrations in both bulk soil and aggregate fractions, with availability strongly correlated with the soil total carbon and pH. The straw and lime amendments significantly improved the fruit quality by increasing the vitamin C and soluble sugar content while reducing the nitrate content. Furthermore, these treatments altered the distribution of micronutrients within the tomato organs, increasing their proportion in roots and fruits specifically. This study concludes that the integrated application of chicken manure with straw and lime is a highly effective strategy for improving soil fertility, enhancing micronutrient bioavailability, and boosting both the yield and nutritional quality of tomatoes.