Biochar as substrate conditioner in the development of melon seedlings

L. G. de S. Laurentino, L. H. G. Chaves, A. R. Cavalcante, J. P. Guimarães, F. G. de Souza, W. B. de Lima, H. O. C. Guerra

Abstract: The production of healthy seedlings is of relevant importance for the success of plant production. The reduction of production costs when using alternatives sources of fertilization is also an important fact. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of increasing doses of poultry litter biochar in the development of melon seedlings. The work was conducted in a protected environment with a completely randomized statistical design in a 6 x 2 factorial scheme, consisting of 6 doses of biochar (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 t ha-1) and two varieties of melon (Yellow and Hales Best Jumbo) with 4 repetitions totalizing 48 experimental units. At 15, 23 and 31 days after sowing (DAS), the plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and leaf area were evaluated and afterwards the absolute growth rates of the variables were determined. The melon seedlings height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area and their absolute growth rates were favored by the inclusion of poultry litter biochar in the subtract, proportionating an increase of these studied growth variables up until a dose of 8 t ha-1 of biochar. With the exception of the plant height and stem diameter, under the studied conditions and with the poultry litter biochar as a constituent of the substrate, the Hales Best Jumbo melon variety had the best performance.

Keywords: fertility; poultry litter; varieties of melon

Date published: 2021-12-16