Production cost of creeping fresh market tomatoes in different soil covers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the production cost and analyze the economic factors of two creeping fresh market tomato cultivars (Thaíse and Fascínio) grown using different soil covers. The tomato cultivars were evaluated for in natura consumption using a predetermined cycle. The treatments (soil cover types) used in this study were: I) uncovered soil, II) plastic mulching, III) sorghum, IV) Sudan grass, and V) pearl millet. For profitability calculations, the costs and revenues of the study area were accounted for and converted to values per hectare. The effective operating cost, total operating cost, gross revenue, operating profit, profitability index, gross margin, price, and productivity leveling point were considered. The costs of manual operations, tomato seed, fertilization, plastic canvas (double-sided black and white canvas), and irrigation were the highest expenses observed in the production of creeping fresh market tomatoes in relation to the total operating cost. For the Thaíse and Fascínio tomato cultivars, the highest operating profit was Brazilian R$ 143,194.03 and R$ 134,604.53 per hectare, respectively, which was obtained with the soil cover with plastic mulching. The cultivation of creeping fresh-market tomatoes has high economic profitability, especially when using plastic mulching as the soil cover. The two tomato cultivars (Thaíse and Fascínio), when grown on plastic mulching, showed the highest gross margin.