Abstract
The work aimed to evaluate the effect of irrigation with magnetically treated water on development, growth, and yield of the scarlet eggplant (Solanum gilo Raddi) cv. Morro Grande, in two growing seasons (autumn and spring). A completely randomized design in a 3x2 factorial scheme with three replications for the first growing season and 2x2 with five replications for the second growing season was used. Each experimental unit consisted of four plants spaced 0.75 m between plants and 1.00 m between rows. Factors consisted of irrigation using magnetically treated water, untreated water, three replacement of the crop evapotranspiration (50%, 75%, and 100% ETc) for the first growing season and two replacement of the crop evapotranspiration (75% and 100% ETc) for the second growing season. Stem diameter (millimeters), plant height (centimeters), shoot dry matter (grams), first flower and fruit (accumulated degree-days), number of fruits, fruit yield per plant (grams), and average fruit mass (grams) were evaluated. The water with magnetic treatment provided better results for the development variables, first flower, and first fruit in the second growing season. However, for the variables, stem diameter, plant height, shoot dry matter, fruit yield, and number of fruits, only the replacement irrigation depth factor obtained higher values for the 100% ETc than water-deficit treatments.
Highlights
From India or Africa and introduced in Brazil by the slaves in the 17th century, with a production of 79 thousand tons throughout the national territory, and Rio de Janeiro responsible for most of the production in the country (30%), followed by Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Espírito Santo (IBGE, 2017), the scarlet eggplant (Solanum gilo Raddi) is a typically tropical vegetable with fruit, with high heat demand
The average daily temperatures observed in the second growing season were, on average, lower than those of the first growing season, and had values below the optimal temperature range, which is around 26 to 28 oC, according to Pinheiro et al (2015). As it is a hot climate plant and very demanding in high temperature, the most suitable planting season for scarlet eggplant is between September and February, and it is grown throughout the year; in low altitude regions, since they have mild winter, as the species is susceptible to cold (Pinheiro et al, 2015)
Due to the climatic characteristics, the increase of 40 days from the first to the second growing season in the conduction of the crop was necessary to the plant reach its yield potential because the radiation and temperature of second growing season were lower than the first growing season
Summary
From India or Africa and introduced in Brazil by the slaves in the 17th century, with a production of 79 thousand tons throughout the national territory, and Rio de Janeiro responsible for most of the production in the country (30%), followed by Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Espírito Santo (IBGE, 2017), the scarlet eggplant (Solanum gilo Raddi) is a typically tropical vegetable with fruit, with high heat demand. Especially up to 35 days after germination (Carvalho et al, 2013) For this reason, its growth in a protected environment is advantageous as it improves weather conditions in periods of low temperature; another advantage is that since there is no rainfall directly on the plants, the efficiency of phytosanitary management increases (Filgueira, 2013). It is essential to know the behavior of each crop due to the different applications of water in its development stages, of higher consumption of water and nutrients. In this way, it is possible to define which irrigation depth is most suitable to be applied in each crop. Adjusting a crop water needs prevents excess or lack of water, which can lead to decline in production (Bernardo et al, 2019)
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