Production of Papaya Seedlings Using Spirulina platensis as a Biostimulant Applied on Leaf and Root
Wellinghton Alves Guedes *
Postgraduate Program in Tropical Horticulture, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Pombal, PB, Brazil
Railene Hérica Carlos Rocha Araújo
Docente Program in Tropical Horticulture, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Pombal, PB, Brazil
Josinaldo Lopes Araújo Rocha
Docente Program in Tropical Horticulture, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Pombal, PB, Brazil
José Franciraldo de Lima
Docente Program in Tropical Horticulture, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Pombal, PB, Brazil
George Alves Dias
Agricultural Academic Unit (UAGRA), Federal University of Campina Grande, Pombal, PB, Brazil
Ágda Malany Forte de Oliveira
Postgraduate Program in Tropical Horticulture, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Pombal, PB, Brazil
Robson Felipe de Lima
Postgraduate Program in Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
Luana Muniz Oliveira
Postgraduate Program in Tropical Horticulture, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Pombal, PB, Brazil
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study evaluates the influence of Spirulina platensis concentrations on the growth and quality of papaya (Formosa Group) ‘Tainung-1’.
Study Design: The experimental design was completely randomised, with plots subdivided over time.
Place and Duration of Study: From April to June 2017, two greenhouse experiments were carried out at the Agro-Food Science and Technology Center of the Federal University of Campina Grande, Pombal-PB, Brazil.
Methodology: We carried out two greenhouse experiments in completely randomised designs, one with the application of S. platensis on the leaf and other with an application on the root. In both experiments, the treatments consisted of six biomass concentrations of S. platensis (0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0%).
Results: At 52 days after sowing, we measured the following variables: growth, production of dry and fresh mass of roots and shoot, and the seedlings quality index. The modelling functions predict that the suspensions with 1.08% of S. platensis applied on root may provide the best growth and biomass production of the seedlings. However, suspensions of S. platensis applied on leaf were inefficient in the improvement of seedling quality.
Conclusion: When applied to the roots, a suspension of 1.08% S. platensis increases the growth and biomass production of the seedlings; and when used in the concentration of 0.88% improves the quality of the 'Formosa' papaya seedlings. Suspensions of S. platensis applied on leaves do not affect the growth and quality of seedlings of papaya.
Keywords: Carica papaya L., seedling production, biofertilizer