Effect of Biochar and Farmyard Manure Amendment on Yield, Quality, and Bioactive Constituents of Tomato: A Two-Year Field Experiment

Abstract

Soil infertility is a major global problem affecting crop yields and agricultural sustainability. Biochar is proposed as a new approach to enhance plant growth and long-term productivity. The study was conducted in a two-year field experiment to determine the effect of biochar on yield, quality, antioxidant capacity, and bioactive content of tomato compared to farmyard manure. Biochar and Farmyard manure (30 t ha- 1 separately) were applied in the experiment, and yield quality parameters, total phenol, total antioxidant contents, and some phenolic compounds were determined in two growing seasons. According to the two-year average data, the addition of biochar and farmyard manure increased tomato yield by 71% and 47%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. The biochar amendment increases fruit quality and vitamin C content. Additionally, biochar enhances the biochemical response, increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and enriches the quinic acid content of tomatoes. These findings highlight the potential use of biochar as an alternative fertilizer and sustainable, environmentally friendly strategies to enhance plant development, growth, and crop productivity.