RESUMO A consorciação de culturas é um sistema de produção capaz de reduzir os custos produtivos e aumentar a rentabilidade dos produtores de hortaliças, uma vez que ele possibilita o uso mais eficiente da área e dos insumos agrícolas. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da densidade de plantas de alface na viabilidade econômica do consórcio de alface e rúcula, em duas épocas de cultivo (inverno e verão), dois experimentos foram instalados em campo, na Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brasil. Os tratamentos corresponderam a cinco consórcios de alface com rúcula nos espaçamentos entre linhas da alface de: 0,20; 0,25; 0,30; 0,35 e 0,40 m, cinco cultivos solteiros de alface nos mesmos espaçamentos adotados em consórcio, e um cultivo solteiro de rúcula no espaçamento entre linhas de 0,20 m. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados completos, com quatro repetições. No inverno, maior rentabilidade é obtida com a maior densidade populacional. Maior rentabilidade das culturas, em ambas épocas de cultivo é obtida no verão. | ABSTRACT Intercropping is a production system that can reduce the production cost and increase the profitability of vegetable producers, since it permits more efficient land and agricultural inputs use. In order to evaluate the effect of lettuce plant density on the economic feasibility of lettuce-rocket intercropping system over two growing seasons (winter and summer), two experiments were conducted in the field at São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil. The treatments consisted of five lettuce-rocket intercrops with spacing between lettuce rows of: 0.20; 0.25; 0.30; 0.35 and 0.40 m, five sole crop of lettuce in the same spacing between rows adopted in the intercropping system, and a sole cropping of rocket with spacing between rows of 0.20 m. The statistical design adopted was the complete randomized block with four replicates. During winter, higher profitability was achieved with the highest population density. Highest profitability of the crops in both seasons was obtained in summer.

Intercropping is a production system that can reduce the production cost and increase the profitability of vegetable producers, since it permits more efficient land and agricultural inputs use. In order to evaluate the effect of lettuce plant density on the economic feasibility of lettuce-rocket intercropping system over two growing seasons (winter and summer), two experiments were conducted in the field at São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil. The treatments consisted of five lettuce-rocket intercrops with spacing between lettuce rows of: 0.20; 0.25; 0.30; 0.35 and 0.40 m, five sole crop of lettuce in the same spacing between rows adopted in the intercropping system, and a sole cropping of rocket with spacing between rows of 0.20 m. The statistical design adopted was the complete randomized block with four replicates. During winter, higher profitability was achieved with the highest population density. Highest profitability of the crops in both seasons was obtained in summer.

RESUMO O presente trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar o efeito da adubação com esterco bovino em atributos de fertilidade de solos com diferentes teores de argila e, verificar a influência da adubação com esterco bovino na produção de alface americana, e da rúcula e almeirão, cultivados de forma sucessiva a alface. O experimento foi realizado em vasos, em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com os tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 3x6 com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por três solos com diferentes teores de argila (166; 362; 565 g kg-1) e seis doses de esterco bovino (0; 10; 20; 40; 80 e 160 t ha-1). Porções de cada solo receberam esterco bovino e calcário, foram transferidas para vasos, umedecidas e incubadas por 30 dias. A seguir, efetuou-se adubação mineral de plantio e cada vaso recebeu uma muda de alface. Após a colheita da alface, para avaliar o efeito residual da adubação orgânica foram realizados dois cultivos sucessivos, um de rúcula e outro de almeirão. A aplicação de até 160 t ha-1 de esterco bovino diminui a acidez e, aumenta os teores de nutrientes, particularmente P, K e Zn em solos com teores de argila de 165 a 565 g kg-1. A adubação com esterco bovino em doses de até 160 t ha-1 aumenta a condutividade elétrica dos solos, e esse acréscimo não prejudica o crescimento e a produção de hortaliças folhosas. A adubação com esterco bovino aumenta a produção de alface, como também a de rúcula e almeirão, cultivados de forma sucessiva. | ABSTRACT The effect of organic fertilization with cattle manure on fertility properties of soils with different clay contents was evaluated; as well as the influence of cattle manure fertilization on the production of lettuce, and on subsequent arugula and common chicory grown in these soils. The experiment with pot plants was arranged in randomized blocks and analyzed in a 3x6 factorial design with four replications. The treatments consisted of three soil types with different clay contents (166; 362; 565 g kg-1) and six cattle manure rates (0; 10; 20; 40; 80, and 160 t ha-1). Batches of each soil were manured, limed, filled in pots, moistened, and incubated for 30 days. Then, mineral base fertilization was applied and one lettuce seedling per each pot was grown. After lettuce harvest, the residual effect of organic fertilization was assessed in two subsequent crops, first arugula and then common chicory. The application of up to 160 t ha-1 cattle manure reduces soil acidity and increases nutrient contents, particularly of P, K and Zn, in soils with 165 to 565 g kg-1 clay content. Fertilization with cattle manure at rates of up to 160 t ha-1 increases electrical conductivity of soils, without affecting growth and yield of the leafy vegetables. Cattle manuring increases the yield of lettuce, as well as of arugula and common chicory grown afterwards.

The effect of organic fertilization with cattle manure on fertility properties of soils with different clay contents was evaluated; as well as the influence of cattle manure fertilization on the production of lettuce, and on subsequent arugula and common chicory grown in these soils. The experiment with pot plants was arranged in randomized blocks and analyzed in a 3x6 factorial design with four replications. The treatments consisted of three soil types with different clay contents (166; 362; 565 g kg-1) and six cattle manure rates (0; 10; 20; 40; 80, and 160 t ha-1). Batches of each soil were manured, limed, filled in pots, moistened, and incubated for 30 days. Then, mineral base fertilization was applied and one lettuce seedling per each pot was grown. After lettuce harvest, the residual effect of organic fertilization was assessed in two subsequent crops, first arugula and then common chicory. The application of up to 160 t ha-1 cattle manure reduces soil acidity and increases nutrient contents, particularly of P, K and Zn, in soils with 165 to 565 g kg-1 clay content. Fertilization with cattle manure at rates of up to 160 t ha-1 increases electrical conductivity of soils, without affecting growth and yield of the leafy vegetables. Cattle manuring increases the yield of lettuce, as well as of arugula and common chicory grown afterwards.

ABSTRACT Intercropping is a cropping system that involves cultivating two or more crops in the same area with different cycles and vegetative architectures. One of the ways to increase productivity and efficiency in this cropping system is through green manuring and by properly considering crop combinations, cultivation timing, and planting configuration of the component crops. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of carrot and lettuce intercropping systems under different amounts of rooster tree biomass incorporated into the soil and under different spatial arrangements. The study was conducted at the experimental farm Rafael Fernandes, RN, Brazil, in the period from September 2012 to January 2013, in an experimental design of randomized complete blocks in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, with twelve treatments and 3 replicates. The treatments consisted of the combination of four rooster tree biomass amounts incorporated into the soil (10, 25, 40 and 55 t ha-1 on a dry basis) with three predetermined spatial arrangements between the component crops (2:2, 3:3 and 4:4), which correspond to the rows of carrot alternating with the rows of lettuce. The agronomic performance of the carrot and lettuce intercropping system was optimized in the amount of approximately 46.36 t ha-1 of rooster tree incorporated into the soil. There was no influence of the spatial arrangements on the agronomic efficiency of the carrot and lettuce intercropping. The use of rooster tree as green manure is agronomically viable in intercropped systems of carrot and lettuce. | RESUMO A consorciação de culturas é um sistema de cultivo que envolve o cultivo de duas ou mais culturas na mesma área com diferentes ciclos e arquiteturas vegetativas. Uma das maneiras de aumentar a produtividade e a eficiência neste sistema de cultivo é através de adubação verde e considerando adequadamente as combinações de culturas, o tempo e a configuração de plantio das culturas componentes. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho produtivo de sistemas consorciados de cenoura e alface em diferentes quantidades de biomassa de flor-de-seda incorporadas no solo e em diferentes arranjos espaciais. O estudo foi realizado na fazenda experimental Rafael Fernandes, RN, Brasil, no período de setembro de 2012 a janeiro de 2013, em um delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 4 x 3, com doze tratamentos e 3 repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram da combinação de quatro quantidades de biomassa de flor-de-seda incorporadas no solo (10, 25, 40 e 55 t ha-1 em base seca) com quatro arranjos espaciais predeterminados entre as culturas componentes (2:2, 3:3 e 4:4), que correspondem às fileiras de cenoura alternadas com as fileiras de alface. O desempenho agronômico do sistema de consórcio de cenoura e alface foi otimizado na quantidade de aproximadamente 46.36 t ha-1 de flor-de-seda incorporada no solo. Não houve influência dos arranjos espaciais sobre a eficiência agronômica do consórcio de cenoura e alface. O uso da flor-de-seda como adubo verde é agronomicamente viável em sistemas consorciados de cenoura e alface.

Intercropping is a cropping system that involves cultivating two or more crops in the same area with different cycles and vegetative architectures. One of the ways to increase productivity and efficiency in this cropping system is through green manuring and by properly considering crop combinations, cultivation timing, and planting configuration of the component crops. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of carrot and lettuce intercropping systems under different amounts of rooster tree biomass incorporated into the soil and under different spatial arrangements. The study was conducted at the experimental farm Rafael Fernandes, RN, Brazil, in the period from September 2012 to January 2013, in an experimental design of randomized complete blocks in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, with twelve treatments and 3 replicates. The treatments consisted of the combination of four rooster tree biomass amounts incorporated into the soil (10, 25, 40 and 55 t ha-1 on a dry basis) with three predetermined spatial arrangements between the component crops (2:2, 3:3 and 4:4), which correspond to the rows of carrot alternating with the rows of lettuce. The agronomic performance of the carrot and lettuce intercropping system was optimized in the amount of approximately 46.36 t ha-1 of rooster tree incorporated into the soil. There was no influence of the spatial arrangements on the agronomic efficiency of the carrot and lettuce intercropping. The use of rooster tree as green manure is agronomically viable in intercropped systems of carrot and lettuce.

ABSTRACT Plant growth promoter microorganisms have been studied as important tools for increasing crop production. Lettuce is the most consumed hardwood crop in the world. Numerous microorganisms are capable of acting in a beneficial way in the growth of this culture. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas on the microbial biomass, enzymatic activities in sandy soil and lettuce production. The experimental design was completely randomized with ten replicates and treatments: CONT (absolute control); CM (control with cattle manure fertilization); CMB (with fertilization and Pseudomonas sp.); CMF (with fertilization and T. aureoviride) and CMBF (with fertilization and the two microorganisms combined). The fertilizer used was organic with cattle manure in a dose recommended for the culture. This study evaluated the production of lettuce, microbial biomass and the enzymatic activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and urease. The combined application of CMBF was efficient in increasing lettuce production, because it increased 85% of the cv. Veronica cultivated on sandy soil. The combined use of plant growth promoting microorganisms resulted to an increase in microbial biomass. In lettuce crops, it is recommended to use T. aureoviride URM 5158 and Pseudomonas sp. UAGF 14 in lettuce crops, because improved lettuce production, improves the biochemical quality of soils measured by absolute and specific enzymatic activities per unit of microbial biomass. | RESUMO Os micro-organismos promotores do crescimento de plantas vêm sendo estudados como uma importante ferramenta para o aumento da produção agrícola. Lactuca sativa (alface) é a hortaliça folhosa mais consumida em todo mundo. Inúmeros micro-organismos podem atuar de forma benéfica no crescimento desta cultura. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia de isolados de Trichoderma e Pseudomonas sp. na biomassa microbiana, atividades enzimáticas em solo arenoso e produção da alface cultivada com alface. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com dez repetições, sendo os tratamentos: CONT (controle absoluto); CM (controle apenas com a fertilização); CMB (com fertilização e Pseudomonas sp.); CMF (com fertilização e T. aureoviride) e CMBF (com fertilização e os dois micro-organismos combinados). A fertilização utilizada foi a orgânica pela adição de esterco bovino em dose recomendada para a cultura. Avaliou-se a produção de alface, a biomassa microbiana e a atividade enzimática da fostafase ácida, fosfatase alcalina e urease. A aplicação CMBF foi eficiente para o aumento na produção de alface, pois incrementou 85% da produção da cv. Verônica em solo arenoso. O uso combinado de micro-organismos promotores de crescimento de plantas incrementam a biomassa microbiana. Recomenda-se o uso de T. aureoviride URM 5158 e Pseudomonas sp. UAGF 14 no cultivo de alface, pois além de melhorar a produção, melhora a qualidade bioquímica dos solos mensurados por atividades enzimáticas absolutas e específicas por unidade de biomassa microbiana.

Plant growth promoter microorganisms have been studied as important tools for increasing crop production. Lettuce is the most consumed hardwood crop in the world. Numerous microorganisms are capable of acting in a beneficial way in the growth of this culture. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas on the microbial biomass, enzymatic activities in sandy soil and lettuce production. The experimental design was completely randomized with ten replicates and treatments: CONT (absolute control); CM (control with cattle manure fertilization); CMB (with fertilization and Pseudomonas sp.); CMF (with fertilization and T. aureoviride) and CMBF (with fertilization and the two microorganisms combined). The fertilizer used was organic with cattle manure in a dose recommended for the culture. This study evaluated the production of lettuce, microbial biomass and the enzymatic activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and urease. The combined application of CMBF was efficient in increasing lettuce production, because it increased 85% of the cv. Veronica cultivated on sandy soil. The combined use of plant growth promoting microorganisms resulted to an increase in microbial biomass. In lettuce crops, it is recommended to use T. aureoviride URM 5158 and Pseudomonas sp. UAGF 14 in lettuce crops, because improved lettuce production, improves the biochemical quality of soils measured by absolute and specific enzymatic activities per unit of microbial biomass.

RESUMO: A alface é uma das hortaliças folhosas mais produzidas e consumidas no Brasil. A colheita ocorre no período em que a planta atinge o crescimento vegetativo máximo, as folhas ainda estão tenras e sem indícios de pendoamento. Após este período, a planta é considerada inadequada para a comercialização, perdendo-se um alimento rico em vitaminas, sais minerais e composto bioativos, como os carotenóides. Desta forma, este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade com base em mudanças físico-químicas em uma cultivar de alface roxa durante três idades diferentes. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em uma horta comunitária urbana no município de Sete Lagoas -MG. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso com três repetições sendo os tratamentos os três estádios de desenvolvimento (20, 30 e 40 dias após transplantio - DAT). Aos 40 DAT, a concentração de carotenóides totais e o teor de sólidos solúveis totais foram significativamente superiores, o pH foi menor; e a alface se tornou mais escura, apresentando menores valores do parâmetro b* (incremento da cor amarela) e maiores valores do parâmetro a* (incremento da coloração vermelha), diferindo significativamente das duas primeiras colheitas. A acidez titulável foi igual estatisticamente nas três épocas de avaliação. Considerando o alto conteúdo de carotenóides observado aos 40 DAT, pode-se considerar a colheita nesta idade. | ABSTRACT: Lettuce is one of the most produced and consumed leafy vegetables in Brazil. It is harvested when the plant reaches full vegetative growth and the leaves are still tender and there are no signs of bolting. The plant is unsuitable for commercialization after this period, thus, a food that is rich in vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds such as carotenoid is lost. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess the purple lettuce quality based on physical-chemical characteristics, in three different ages. The experiment was conducted in an urban community garden in Sete Lagoas MG, Brazil. A completely randomized experimental design was used with three replications. The treatments consisted of three development stages (20, 30 and 40 days after transplanting - DAT). The treatment with 40 DAT presented total carotenoids concentration and soluble solids content significantly higher, lower pH, and darker lettuce, with lower values of the parameter b* (increase in yellow color), and higher values of the parameter a* (increase in red color), compared to the first two treatments. The titratable acidity was statistically equal for the three evaluation periods. Considering the high concentration of carotenoids found at 40 DAT, the harvest can take place at this age.

Lettuce is one of the most produced and consumed leafy vegetables in Brazil. It is harvested when the plant reaches full vegetative growth and the leaves are still tender and there are no signs of bolting. The plant is unsuitable for commercialization after this period, thus, a food that is rich in vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds such as carotenoid is lost. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess the purple lettuce quality based on physical-chemical characteristics, in three different ages. The experiment was conducted in an urban community garden in Sete Lagoas MG, Brazil. A completely randomized experimental design was used with three replications. The treatments consisted of three development stages (20, 30 and 40 days after transplanting - DAT). The treatment with 40 DAT presented total carotenoids concentration and soluble solids content significantly higher, lower pH, and darker lettuce, with lower values of the parameter b* (increase in yellow color), and higher values of the parameter a* (increase in red color), compared to the first two treatments. The titratable acidity was statistically equal for the three evaluation periods. Considering the high concentration of carotenoids found at 40 DAT, the harvest can take place at this age.