Emergência e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de quiabo em diferentes substratos

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L). Moench) is a popular vegetable, mainly in the Northeast of Brazil, with high nutritional value and productive potential. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the emergence and initial development of okra seedlings in different substrates. The experiment was carried out in the greenhouse of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Piauí - Campus Uruçuí and consisted of sowing okra seeds of the cultivar Santa Cruz 47, in different substrates, (TC) - witness, commercial substrate (Tropstrato HA Vegetables); (S + A + B) - soil + sand + bovine manure, in the proportion 2/1/1; (FC) - coconut fiber; (V) - vermiculite; (CF) - chicken litter; (HM) - earthworm humus; (FC + V) - coconut fiber + vermiculite 4/1; (CF + V) - chicken litter + vermiculite 4/1 and (HM + V) - earthworm humus + vermiculite 4/1. The emergency percentage (E%), the emergency speed index (IVE) and the mean emergency time (TME) were determined. The plant height (AP) and stem diameter (DC) were determined by direct measurements, as well as the fresh masses of the aerial part and the root (MFPA, MFR). The dry masses of the aerial part and the root (MSPA, MSR) were determined by the method of drying in an oven with forced air circulation, at a temperature of 65 ºC, until reaching constant mass (48 hours). The design used was completely randomized, with 5 (five) repetitions, each repetition consisting of 10 (ten) sachets of polyethylene (dimensions: 8x15cm). The substrates that showed superior results for E%, IVE and TME, when compared with the control, were FC + V and FC. The HM + V treatment showed superior results for the other parameters of initial development analyzed. It is concluded that substrates containing coconut fiber and vermiculite, allow a better germinative development of okra seedlings and that substrates containing earthworm humus and vermiculite allow a better initial development of okra seedlings. Finally, substrates that contain earthworm humus, vermiculite and coconut fiber are recommended for the production of okra seedlings.