Avaliação do desempenho agronômico da cultura da alface (Lactuca sativa L.) submetida a adubação orgânica

Abstract

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is one of the most widely consumed leafy vegetables in Brazil, due to its nutritional value and ease of cultivation. However, its development can be influenced by factors such as soil quality and the type of fertilization used. The application of organic fertilizers, such as bovine and goat manure, stands out as a sustainable alternative, enhancing soil fertility and reducing the reliance on chemical inputs. These manures are rich in organic matter and essential nutrients—such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—improving soil structure, microbial activity, and offering a low-cost, environmentally friendly solution. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of organic fertilizers on the yield and quality of lettuce cultivation. The experiment was conducted on a farm located in Uruçuí, Piauí (Brazil), using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments—control, bovine manure, equine manure, and goat manure—and five replicates, totaling 20 experimental units. The following variables were evaluated: number of leaves (units), shoot diameter (cm), root length (cm), plant height (cm), and fresh mass per plant (g). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and, when significant, to Tukey’s test at 5% probability. The treatments significantly affected the number of leaves, fresh mass, and plant height. Goat manure resulted in the highest number of leaves and fresh mass, while bovine manure led to greater plant height. No significant differences were observed among treatments for shoot diameter and root length. It is concluded that goat and bovine manures improve the vegetative performance of lettuce, representing viable and sustainable alternatives for organic cultivation under conditions similar to those of this study.