Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, cilt.56, sa.21, ss.3001-3013, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
Blossom-end rot (BER) is a physiological disorder in tomatoes caused by calcium (Ca) deficiency, often due to factors like poor irrigation, salinity, and high humidity that disrupt transpiration of plants. This study evaluated the effects of Pelletized Sheep Wool (PSW) on BER in tomatoes, enhancing fruit yield, and influencing mineral nutrition. PSW was applied to tomato plants at levels of 5, 10, and 20 g kg−1, and the number of BER, as well as the concentrations of Ca, Mg, N, K, and B in the leaves and fruits, were determined. FTIR analysis was conducted on the upper and bottom parts of the tomato fruits to assess the effects of the treatments on the fruit’s functional groups. PSW treatments effectively reduced BER, with 0% BER observed in the PSW 5 and 10 g kg−1 doses, and only 5.26% in the PSW 20 g kg−1 dose, compared to 20% in the control group. PSW treatments increased tomato fruit weight, with fruit fresh weight rising from 164 g in control to 239 g in the PSW 20 treatment. While PSW positively affected Ca, B, and N concentrations. FTIR analysis showed that PSW treatments influenced the biochemical composition of the fruits, with significant changes in lipid and protein content, particularly in the bottom parts of the fruits. These findings suggest that PSW is a promising natural amendment for improving tomato fruit yield and preventing BER, with potential impacts on cell walls and metabolic processes.