Turkey ranks third in the world in terms of tomato production, and approximately 12.5 million tons of tomatoes are produced annually. Especially in greenhouse cultivation, tomato wastes do not stay in the soil and are taken out of the greenhouse. Ten million tons of tomato waste is generated annually in Turkey. Compost is a very important organic material containing plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and microelements. Tomato waste compost is a good organic fertilizer that increases both tomato yield and biological activities in soil. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of tomato compost (TC) on tomato yield and biological properties of soils. For this purpose, a pot experiment was established in the greenhouse and TC was applied in four different doses (TC1—1%, TC2—2%, TC3—4%, TC4—6%) to pots containing 3.5 kg of soil, these doses were also applied with chemical fertilizer (CF) (CF, TC1 + CF, TC + CF, TC3 + CF, TC4 + CF), and then tomato plants were grown. Each application was applied as three replications. Among the compost applications, the highest tomato yield was obtained with the TC4 (0.96 kg/pot, 14.4 t/ha) application: 15.66% higher yield was obtained compared to chemical fertilizers. Among all treatments, TC1 + CF (1.07 kg/pot, 16.10 t/ha), which increased the tomato yield by 28.9%, had the highest yield. All applications have increased CO₂ production in the soil; the highest CO₂ production was determined in the last harvest period with TC3 + CF and TC4 + CF (0.27 mgCO₂ 1 gr⁻¹ 24 h⁻¹). The maximum microbial biomass carbon content was determined in the first harvest period. Among the applications, the most microbial biomass carbon was determined after the TC4 + CF (114.42 mgMBC 100 gr⁻¹) application. Catalase enzyme activity was obtained the most with TC4 + CF (601.56 mlO₂ 1 gr⁻¹) application in first florescence. Dehydrogenase enzyme activity was obtained the most with TC3 (55.96 μg TPF g⁻¹) application in end of harvest. After compost application, tomato yield increased and biological properties of soil improved.

The main objective of this study was to determine changes in microbial response in natural soil aggregates for soil characterization in different fluvial land shapes. This study was carried out in fluvial lands formed on accumulated sediment depositions carried by Kızılırmak River. The majority soils of the study area were classified as Typic Ustifluvent and Typic Haplustept in Soil Taxonomy. It was found that macroaggregates (especially >6300 μm and 2000–4750 μm diameters) of all soil samples were higher than microaggregate of soils. In addition, it was determined that the C_org content varies between 0.41–0.91% in soil samples. C_mic content was also found higher level in aggregates involved 6,300, 4,750–6,300 and 2,000–4,750 μm than in the other macroaggregates sizes and microaggregates. Consequently, macroaggregates have relatively more C_org level than the C_org level in microaggregates, even if the absolute values of C_mic were the lower. This study thus evidenced contrasting microbial habitats and their response in different soil aggregate size formed in various developed soils.

This study examines the relationship between catalase activity in degraded soils and soil properties, and addresses its potential as an indicator of soil health and productivity. Catalase, a key enzyme reflecting microbial activity and soil aeration, has been analyzed in 30 soil samples collected from the disturbed surface layer (0-15 cm depth) of erosion-prone areas characterized by rubble accumulation on hill slopes and soil compaction in foot slopes. The soil in the study area is classified as Typic Xerortent. Catalase enzyme activity in the soil samples varied between 10.4 and 48 µl O2 g-1 dry soil. In addition to catalase, the physicochemical properties of the soil were also assessed, including pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter content, and texture. Nutrient contents, including nitrogen (0.046-0.239 g N 100 g-1), phosphorus (1.77-20.05 µg P g-1), and potassium (0.01-3.31 meq K 100 g-1), were also measured. A positive correlation was observed between catalase activity and potassium and phosphorus levels, but the relationship with nitrogen was statistically insignificant. These findings suggest that catalase activity can serve as a biological indicator for the early detection of degradation in soils at risk of erosion. The study provides valuable insights into the impact of erosion on soil biochemistry and highlights the role of catalase in assessing soil health and guiding sustainable land management practices.