Effects of Faba Bean Strip Cropping in an Outdoor Organic Tomato System on Soil Nutrient Availability, Production, and N Budget under Different Fertilizations

Crop diversification has been identified as a tool to improve both productive and environmental performances of organic horticulture. We tested the introduction faba beans in tomato cropping system—both preceding crop strip (SC)—under different fertilization strategies—faba residues, animal manure, vegetable compost. studied: (i) nutrient uptake yield quality; (ii) soil-N P, N-budget, mycorrhizal colonization. SC did not provide consistent positive effects on production quality, namely N-uptake, N yield, mean fruit weight, sugar accumulation berries, regardless type fertilizers applied. improved dry P-uptake, especially years when growth subsequent were problematic. Faba residues could sufficient sustain but care should be given balancing additional N-inputs. Organic increased concentration always translate into an higher quality production, with risk escalating N-losses. soil-P availability colonization tomato, due rhizobia–mycorrhiza-mycorrhiza association, coupled fertilization. Finally, introducing holds potential performance production.