Comparação do desenvolvimento da alface sob diferentes fontes de adubação

Abstract

Fertilization is one of the main factors determining lettuce growth and productivity, particularly in production systems seeking to combine agronomic performance with the use of organic nutrient sources. This study aimed to compare lettuce development under different fertilization sources. The field experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with four treatments and five blocks: mineral treatment (T), mixture of organic materials (ME), cattle manure (EB), and poultry litter (CF). Head diameter was evaluated at three times, number of leaves at two times, as well as final root length and final plant weight. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and, when significant, means were compared by Tukey's test at 5% probability. Poultry litter resulted in the highest head diameter values across the three evaluations, the highest number of leaves, and the greatest final plant weight, reaching 351.50 g per plant. Cattle manure showed intermediate performance and did not differ from poultry litter for root length. The results indicate a favorable response of lettuce to poultry litter under the evaluated conditions, highlighting the potential of this organic source for vegetative development.