EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE SUBSTRATES OBTAINED FROM COMPOSTING CROTALARIA AND CORN FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LETTUCE AND ARUGULA SEEDLINGS

Abstract

Vegetable production stands out in the Brazilian agricultural economy due to the generation of many jobs. Currently, there are commercial substrates on the market that are used for seedling production. However, substrate production from the composting of organic waste can favor the sustainability of small and medium rural properties. This work aimed to evaluate the formulation of alternative substrates obtained from the composting of crotalaria and corn residues, to produce lettuce and arugula seedlings. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five treatments arranged in 4 replications. The treatments consisted of different substrate compositions, being: T1- Compound obtained from a mixture of 35% Corn + 35% Crotalaria + 30% Manure; T2 - Compound obtained from a mixture of 50% Corn + 50% Crotalaria; T3 - Compound obtained from the mixture 70% Corn + 30% Manure; T4 - Compound obtained from a mixture of 70% Crotalaria + 30% Manure; and T5 – Carolina Soil® Commercial Substrate. The total length of the seedlings (TLS) and the length of the roots (LR) in centimeters, total fresh mass (TFM), fresh mass of the roots (FMR), and fresh mass of the aerial part (FMAP) were evaluated in grams per plant and the number of leaves (NOF). According to the results obtained, it was possible to conclude that for the production of Lettuce seedlings under the evaluated conditions, the best result obtained was with the use of the commercial substrate Carolina Soil®. However, to produce arugula seedlings, the alternative substrate from the composting of Crotalaria and Manure residues (70% Crotalaria + 30% Manure) also proved viable, presenting a statistically similar performance to the commercial substrate Carolina Soil®.