Cultivo do tomateiro em substratos orgânicos sob aplicação foliar de silicato de potássio em ambiente protegido

Abstract

This study was to evaluate the effect of leaf application of different doses of potassium silicate, on the levels of chlorophyll a, b and total in leaves of tomato cultivated in two substrates as well as the influence of these factors on crop yield under protected environment. The used experimental design was randomized blocks with four replicates. A factorial scheme 2 x 4 was used. The substrates were coconut fiber (S1) and coconut fibercombined with carbonized coffee husk (S2). The Used doses of potassium silicate were 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 % of Sili-K®. These doses were sprayed weekly on the leaves during the dant cycle. Before the first harvest, chlorophylls a, b and total. that present significative differences only for S1 were quantified. The increase of potassium silicate doses stimulated the concentration of chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll. The average mass of fruits with 60 to 65 mm, diameter cultivated in S2 was influenced by the different doses of potassium silicate. The dose of 0.2% was the best concentration.