Avaliação do efeito de diferentes substratos na germinação na cultura da alface (Lactuca sativa L.)

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the effect of different substrates on the germination of lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L.). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal Institute of Piauí, São João do Piauí Campus, using four treatments with 10 repetitions: natural organic compost based on decomposed and carbonized straw, manure, calcium meal, and dolomitic limestone; carbonized rice husk and sieved sand; organic compost and sieved sand; decomposed manure with sieved sand. Evaluations were carried out daily over 10 days, and after this period, the germination percentage (%E) and the Emergence Speed Index (ESI) were calculated. The data were analyzed using the statistical program Assistat (SILVA, 2017), employing ANOVA and Tukey's test at a 5% probability level. The results indicated that the substrate containing natural organic compost had the highest emergence rate (%E), reaching 100%, and also presented the highest Emergence Speed Index (ESI) (2.45), indicating that this substrate was the most effective for lettuce germination compared to the other treatments in the experiment. Additionally, the treatment with carbonized rice husk and sieved sand showed the lowest emergence rate (20%) as well as the lowest germination speed index (0.30), indicating that it was the least suitable for germination. Therefore, the type of substrate has a significant influence on lettuce germination, with natural organic compost being the most recommended for this stage.