New Substrates Based on Decomposed Babassu (Attalea speciosa Mart.) Stem in the Production of Melon Seedlings
Kleber V. Cordeiro
Federal University of Maranhão, BR-222, KM 04, S/N, Boa Vista, 65500-000, Chapadinha, Brazil
Hosana A. F. Andrade
Federal University of Ceará, Av. Mister Hull, S/N, Pici, 60455760, Fortaleza, Brazil
Edson D. de Oliveira-Neto
Federal University of Maranhão, BR-222, KM 04, S/N, Boa Vista, 65500-000, Chapadinha, Brazil
Nayron A. Costa
Federal University of Maranhão, BR-222, KM 04, S/N, Boa Vista, 65500-000, Chapadinha, Brazil
Bruna R. dos S. Rocha
Federal University of Maranhão, BR-222, KM 04, S/N, Boa Vista, 65500-000, Chapadinha, Brazil
Samuel F. Pontes
Federal University of Maranhão, BR-222, KM 04, S/N, Boa Vista, 65500-000, Chapadinha, Brazil
Yasmine O. T. Marzullo
Federal University of Maranhão, BR-222, KM 04, S/N, Boa Vista, 65500-000, Chapadinha, Brazil
Francisca E. do N. Pinto
Federal University of Maranhão, BR-222, KM 04, S/N, Boa Vista, 65500-000, Chapadinha, Brazil
Nitalo A. F. Machado *
Federal University of Ceará, Av. Mister Hull, S/N, Pici, 60455760, Fortaleza, Brazil
Raissa R. S. da Silva-Matos
Federal University of Maranhão, BR-222, KM 04, S/N, Boa Vista, 65500-000, Chapadinha, Brazil
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Melon production in recent years has shown great growth and success in cultivation which depends on a good production of seedlings, and poor quality of the substrate can cause problems in the germination process. The study aimed to evaluate changes of melon with different proportions of the substrate based on the decomposed stem of babassu. For this, different proportions of decomposed babassu stem (DBS) were used viz., S1: 100% soil; S2: 20% DBS+ 80% soil; S3: 40% DBS + 60% soil; S4: 60% DBS + 40% soil; S5: 80% DBS + 20% soil; and S6: 100% DBS, using a completely randomized design, having six treatments with four replicates. Parameters such as, emergence speed index, germination percentage (%), plant height (cm); stem diameter (mm); root length (cm); root volume (cm3), dry root mass and dry mass of shoot (g) were evaluated. Although germination did not show any difference, the rate of emergence showed statistically equal results between them and higher than the control. Based on the data obtained, the study concludes that substrates based on the decomposed stem of babassu with proportions between 40, 60 and 80% can be used for the production of melon seedlings. These predictors, however, need further work to validate reliability.
Keywords: Alternative substrates, Attalea speciosa Mart., Cucumis melo L., seedlings quality