Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of Chinguensai (Brassica pekinensis L.) seedlings, under different formulations of substrates and sizes of containers, in Fortaleza, Ceara. For this, two studies were conducted in factorial design with randomized blocks and four replicates. The first study was conducted in a factorial (4 × 4) design. Four substrate formulations (powder-type coconut fiber; carbonized rice hull and earthworm casting) had the following proportions: S1 (1:1:1); S2 (0:1:1); S3 (1:0:1); and S4 (0:0:1) by volume basis (v/v) and four evaluation dates (22, 27, 34 and 41 days after sowing — DAS). The second study was conducted in a factorial (3 × 4) design with three types of containers with different cell volumes (31, 18 and 11 cm3) and four evaluation dates (22, 27, 34 and 41 DAS). The fresh and dry weight of the shoot and root systems was evaluated. Both studies showed no interaction between the variables, with differences noted for substrate factors, containers and times in all traits. In the first study, the earthworm compost resulted in the highest yield of fresh and dry seedling weight. In the second study, the container with 31 cm3 of cell volume showed the highest production of fresh and dry weights. The results showed that the substrate composed solely of earthworm humus and with the use of trays with 31 cm3 of cell volume provided seedlings of Chinguensai with the optimal production for transplanting 41 DAS.
Highlights
The Chinguensai (Brassica pekinensis L.) is a vegetable of Chinese origin
Based on the aforementioned and taking into account the wide range of containers and substrates available on the market for the production of seedlings, the goal of this study was to evaluate the development of Chinguensai (Brassica pekinensis L.) seedlings, under different formulations of substrates and size of containers, in Fortaleza, Ceará
The experiments were conducted at the Department of Plant Science at the Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), located on the Pici Campus, Fortaleza, at lat 03°36’6’’S, long 37°48’36’’W and 21.0 masl
Summary
The Chinguensai (Brassica pekinensis L.) is a vegetable of Chinese origin. The species are popularly known by the names cabbage, kale or Chinese chard (Silva et al 2011). Belonging to the Brassica genus, the Chinguensai is a biennial, it is commercially grown as an annual plant. When adult, it has unrestricted and cup-shaped leaves with sizes ranging from 30 to 40 cm. It has unrestricted and cup-shaped leaves with sizes ranging from 30 to 40 cm It does not form a head as the chard The petioles of the leaves are thick and fleshy (Feltrim et al 2003; Bezerra 2003; Embrapa 2011)
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