Substrates containing agricultural residues provide better development of papaya seedlings

Abstract

The use of organic residues in the formulation of substrates for the production of papaya seedlings may favor the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil, resulting in better quality seedlings. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of substrates formulated in ratios (residue:soil) with organic residues for the pro­duction of papaya ( Carica papaya L.) seedlings. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design, in a 5 (residues) x 2 (ratios) factorial scheme with an additional treatment (control), with three replications and the plots constituted by 10 plants. The treatments were: T1 - soybean residue + soil (1:2); T2 - soybean resi­due + soil (1:4); T3 - sugarcane residue + soil (1:2); T4 - sugarcane residue + soil (1:4); T5 - cotton residue + soil (1:2); T6 - cotton residue + soil (1:4); T7 - cattle manure + soil (1:2); T8 - cattle manure + soil (1:4); T9 - chicken manure + soil (1:2); T10 - chicken manure + soil (1:4); T11 (control) - soil (1: 1). The following variables were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, fresh and dry mass of shoots and roots. The substrates containing cattle manure, sugarcane residue, and cotton residue, in the ratio 1:2 (residue:soil) (v/v), provided greater growth of the papaya seedlings. Alternatively, chicken manure may be employed, provided it is used in the ratio 1:4 (residue:soil).