Antioxidant compounds and minerals in tomatoes by Trichodermaenriched biofertilizer and their relationship with the soil environments

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Trichoderma-enriched biofertilizer（BioF/compost）on antioxidants and minerals in ripe tomatoes and soil health improvements in terms of nutrient availability and microbial populations.The study was comprised of six treatments：control（zero input）;recommended doses of NPK（135.5,45.6 and 22.9 kg ha^-1,respectively）;100%BioF/compost;75%BioF/compost＋25%N;50%BioF/compost＋50%N;and 25%BioF/compost＋75%N.The recommended doses of P and K were used in the last three treatments.It was found that the application of 100%BioF/compost enhanced plant growth,leaf greenness,and produced 12.9%higher yield compared to the recommended doses of NPK and other treatments.Mineral contents（P,K,Ca,Mg,Cu,Fe,Mn and Zn）in tomato roots,shoots and fruits and antioxidant compounds,i.e.,ascorbic acid,β-carotine,and lycopene were increased significantly in fruits fertilized with100%BioF/compost.The high efficiency of Trichoderma compost might be the result of its potential of nutrient solubilization and harboring soil microorganisms.Collectively,BioF/compost increased soil fertility and favored growth of microbes in the rhizosphere which ultimately contributed to higher yield,antioxidant,and mineral concentrations in tomatoes.Thus,Trichoderma-enriched biofertilizer may reduce application of chemical fertilizers and therefore,can be considered as a noble practice in sustainable agriculture.