Organic fertilization in the production and chemical composition of non-conventional leafy vegetables

Deborah Sepini Batista,José Ricardo Mantovani,Douglas Correa De Souza,Paulo Roberto Corrêa Landgraf,Luis Felipe Lima E Silva

doi:10.1590/1983-40632021v5166508

Abstract

ABSTRACT Non-conventional leafy vegetables can be a good source of nutrients for the human diet, but there is little information on fertilization for these species. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic fertilization with cattle manure on the production and chemical composition of non-conventional leafy vegetables. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in pots. The factors under study were non-conventional leafy species (Rumex acetosa, Stachys byzantina and Lactuca canadensis) and cattle manure doses (0; 5; 10; 15; and 20 t ha-1), arranged in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme, in a randomized block design, with four replications. At harvest, the following parameters were evaluated: stem diameter; total number of leaves; number of leaves with commercial standard; shoot fresh and dry matter; macro and micronutrients concentration and accumulated amounts in the shoot. The fertilization with cattle manure altered the stem diameter, number of leaves with commercial standard, shoot fresh and dry matter, as well as the accumulation of the nutrients N, P, K, Ca, Fe, Mn and Zn in the shoot of the three species studied. The additions obtained varied from 1.1 to 2.1 times, in relation to the treatment without organic fertilization, and the dose equivalent to 20 t ha-1 was the most adequate one. The organic fertilization with cattle manure increases the production and accumulation of nutrients in the non-conventional vegetables evaluated, with R. acetosa presenting a nutrient accumulation higher than S. byzantina and L. canadensis.

Highlights

Non-conventional vegetables, called nonconventional food plants, are plants that have one or more parts that can be consumed, such as fruits, flowers, leaves, tubers and seeds
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fertilization with cattle manure on the production and chemical composition of nonconventional leafy vegetables
The treatments consisted of a combination of three non-conventional leafy vegetables

Summary

Introduction

Non-conventional vegetables, called nonconventional food plants, are plants that have one or more parts that can be consumed, such as fruits, flowers, leaves, tubers and seeds. They are native or exotic, with spontaneous growth (being frequently confused with weeds) or grown in a simple way, as they present little demand, in relation to cultivation techniques (Kinupp & Lorenzi 2014). Non-conventional vegetables were very appreciated in the past, but they have gradually been devalued and become underutilized (Viana et al 2015) These plants still represent a quality food alternative, as they have high levels of vitamins, minerals and fibers, in addition to antioxidant compounds (Viana et al 2015, Silva et al 2018b, Silva et al 2019, Botrel et al 2020)

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