ABSTRACT
O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar os aspectos agronômicos e econômicos da produção convencional e orgânica do tomateiro. Realizou-se um levantamento geral dos sistemas de produção convencional e orgânico do tomateiro, abordando os aspectos agronômicos (manejo, preparo do solo, métodos de controle de pragas,doenças e plantas nativas, produtividade, entre outros) e econômicos (custo de produção e lucratividade). O sistema orgânico apresentou-se agronomicamente viável, com um custo de produção 17,1% mais baixo que o convencional e lucratividade até 113,6% maior.
Organic agriculture expansion is a consequence of an increasing global concern about the environment. There is an interest in reducing the adverse effects of chemical use on the ecosystem through the alternate methods, always searching for quality and economic viability of the activities developed. This study compared the agricultural and economical aspects of conventional and organic tomato production, which, besides being a vegetal commonly used "in natura", is a culture of complex management and, therefore, of high economic risk. An overall survey was done about the conventional and organic tomato production systems, analyzing the agricultural aspects (management, soil cultivation, pests, diseases and weed control methods, productivity, among others) and economical (production costs and profitability). The organic system was agriculturally viable, with a production cost 17.1% lower than the conventional and profitability up to 113.6% greater.