Abstract
In order to obtain better productivity and a good level of secondary metabolites for cultivating plants with organic residues, it is necessary to define the method of application and the best combination considering plant density. Our objective was to study the influence of the plant arrangement and methods of application of poultry manure in the soil over agroeconomic performance and the antioxidant activity of the hibiscus. Treatments in the field consisted of two plant arrangements (single or double rows, both with 0.50 meters between plants) and four methods of application of poultry manure to the soil [incorporating (10 t ha-1), mulching (10 t ha-1), mulching (5 t ha-1) + incorporating (5 t ha-1) and a control—no poultry manure] and, in the laboratory, antioxidant activity in relation to the treatments in the field and preparation methods (maceration or infusion). Treatments were arranged in randomized blocks of 2 × 4 with four replicates. The greatest production of dried calyx (0.68 t ha-1) and of capsules (1.32 t ha-1), the greatest number of fruits (2.10 million ha-1) and the greatest net income (R$ 36,115.42) resulted of plants cultivated in single rows with the poultry manure covering the crops. The antioxidant activity of the hibiscus calyces showed no variation in relation with field treatments or with the method of preparation. Cultivation in single rows covered with poultry manure is adequate for the hibiscus plant.
Highlights
The hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Malvaceae) is among the species that can adapt to the organic practices, as this species originated in Africa, where the environment is tropical, with highly weathered soils, and, adapts well to tropical and subtropical climates, being cultivated worldwide
The growth was linear throughout the cultivation cycle, the maximum observed height having been 150.41 cm in the plants cultivated in double rows (ŷ = -24.38 + 0.7283x; R2 = 0.87), with an increase of 14.54 cm in relation to the smaller maximum height (135.87 cm) from cultivation in single rows (ŷ = -22.05 + 0.6599x; R2 = 0.85), both at 240 day after the transplant (DAT)
These results differ from those reported by Ramos et al (2011b), where they cultivated the hibiscus with differentiated spacing between plants, with or without the use of poultry manure, having observed linear growth in the plants due to the cultivation cycle, with a mean height of 261.88 cm on the 200th DAT
Summary
The hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Malvaceae) is among the species that can adapt to the organic practices, as this species originated in Africa, where the environment is tropical, with highly weathered soils, and, adapts well to tropical and subtropical climates, being cultivated worldwide. One of the compelling aspects of the roselle is the antioxidant effect of its calyces, which, in the past years, has raised great interest, both in the form of studies and in the use of the substances with this effect, as they reduce free radicals and other oxidizing agents in the body. These molecules are unstable and highly reactive, precursors of many degenerative diseases associated with aging, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cataracts, weakening of the immune system and brain disorders (Seeram & Nair, 2002; Lin et al, 2007). In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated antimicrobial, antiparasitic and anti-cancer effects (Ramos et al, 2011a; Maciel et al, 2012; Hassan et al, 2016)
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