Avaliação do crescimento de alface em campo aberto e sob sombrite com diferentes níveis de irrigação e adubação Nitrogenada

Abstract

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is one of the most cultivated and consumed leafy vegetables in Mozambique, being sensitive to environmental conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate the growth and yield of lettuce grown in open field and under shade, different levels of irrigation and nitrogen doses. The trial was conducted in the experimental field of Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, from May to July 2024 (cool season) in sandy soil. A Randomized Full Block Design was used in a factorial arrangement, considering 2 cropping environments (open field and shade), 2 irrigation levels (optimal level 100% of water needs and intermediate 50% water needs) and 2 levels of fertilization (optimal level 40 kg. ha-1 of Nitrogen and intermediate 20 kg. ha-1 of Nitrogen), totaling 8 treatments with 3 replications. Meteorological variables (temperature and relative humidity) were monitored. The growth and yield variables evaluated included plant height, lettuce diameter, fresh matter and dry matter. The results showed that in the shade cultivation there is a trend of higher air temperature and lower soil temperature; The growth variables plant height, fresh and dry matter were significantly affected by the different growing environments. This study leads to the conclusion that the cultivation in the open field provided higher production of fresh matter (27 ton ha-1), while the cultivation under shade favored greater plant height (28.4 cm) in the fresh season. Therefore, it is recommended to produce lettuce in the open field in the cool season.