Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Changes under Different Cover Crops, Soil Tillage and Nitrogen Fertilization Management

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interaction effects winter cover crops (hairy vetch, subclover and black oat) a bare soil, crop biomass management (incorporated into soil or left on surface as death mulch), nitrogen (N) fertilization level (0, 75 150 kg ha−1 N) fruit yield quality parameters processing tomato. Hairy vetch residues increased (+57%), color index (+8%) sugar/acidity ratio (+7%) marketable tomato fruits compared regardless management. Black oat determined poor yield, especially in tilled (on average, −26%, soil) they had tendentially negative effect some (high firmness titratable acidity, low pH). Subclover residues, when incorporated similar although more favorable fruits. increasing N from 0 always positively influenced characteristics. results suggest that hairy other crops, positive influence tomatoes it could be part an environmentally friendly package for sustainable cultivation Mediterranean conditions.