Application of Zeolite LTA towards Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) on N Leaching and N utilised effectively

Abstract

Abstract In numerous agriculturally intensive regions, nitrate leaching into groundwater is a significant concern. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of cation-binding mineral zeolite hydrothermally synthesised from kaolin on nitrogen leaching, yield, and nitrogen absorption of cherry tomato in a pot. There are seven distinct experimental treatments; Control High (CH); Control Standard (CS); Control Low (CL); 2g of zeolite(2gZ); 4g of zeolite(4gZ); 6g of zeolite(6gZ); and 6g of industrial zeolite (6gIZ) grown in greenhouse with randomised design. In every treatment, drip irrigation with constant watering was applied. According to the results, 6g of zeolite demonstrates the smallest significant difference between the concentration mean values of nitrite and nitrate when compared to the other treatments. In terms of the average concentration of nitrogen in the soil at every harvest (harvest 1,2 and 3), 6g of zeolite added to the soil has the highest value compared to other treatments. There is no significant difference in fruit weight for all treatment, but 6g of zeolite results in the highest aggregate mean weight compared to other treatments. With its capacity as a CEC, zeolite was able to reduce the discharge of water from a container while increasing the average nitrogen concentration in the soil. The elevated CEC of zeolite also demonstrates an increase in cherry tomato weight.