Melon Seedlings Phytomass under Poultry Litter Biochar Doses

Abstract

The use of organic waste for the preparation of seedling substrates is an important environmental and economic option. In this perspective, substrates using biochar emerges as an alternative for seedling production due to their favorable physical and chemical characteristics. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of doses of poultry litter biochar as a substrate constituent for the production and quality of the seedlings. The work was conducted in a semi protected environment, belonging to the Federal University of Campina Grande-UFCG. The statistical design used was completely randomized in a 6 × 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 totaling 48 experimental units. The fresh and dry plant phytomass mass (aerial, roots and total), root length and the quality of seedlings were evaluated. It was concluded that the addition of poultry litter biochar to the substrate was beneficial, promoting an increase in the analyzed seedling variables, being the ideal dose for good development of melon seedlings 12 t•ha −1. The Yellow variety presented a better response than the Hales Best Jumbo to the charcoal application. Considering the advantages of the use of poultry litter biochar on the substrate composition, found in the present study, its utilization constitutes a viable alternative for the development of melon seedlings and for the environmental disposal of the poultry litter.

Production of watermelon seedlings in different substrates under salt stress

“…It is worth noting that the substrate plays an important role in the obtaining of quality seedlings, as it must provide a favorable environment, favoring the adequate supply of water and air, and have an excellent texture, structure, pH, and fertility (Barros et al, 2017;Santos et al, 2022). Among the available alternative materials, it is found that biochar, with its benefits related to its properties (high porosity, high retention, and availability of water and high cation exchange capacity), favors the retention of nutrients, thereby avoiding their losses and the direct nutrient supply (Laurentino et al, 2021). Silva Júnior et al (2020), when using carbonized rice husk and biochar in watermelon seedlings, found an attenuating effect for salt stress.…”