Efeito de cascas de café e de arroz dispostas nas camadas do solo sobre a germinação e o crescimento inicial do Caruru-de-mancha

Abstract

Studies of plant residue effects involving mulches to control weeds in perennial crops are difficult to carry out due to the need to differentiate between allelopathy and competition. Many researches, nowadays, refer to criteria proving allelopathy. This work was established under greenhouse conditions to determine the allelopathic effects of coffee and rice husks on Amaranthus viridis through their arrangements in soil layers. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications, arranged in a 3 x 3 factorial scheme, with coffee and rice husks and expanded vermiculite being one factor and their residues placed on the top and incorporated into the soil surface and into the bottom, as the other factor. One additional treatment without mulching was used. Overall, plant residues inhibited seed germination and stimulated growth of slender amaranth. Rice husk showed lower emergent velocity index and seed germination than coffee husk. Coffee husk placed on the top provided greater growth and higher dry matter weight of slender amaranth, followed by husk incorporation into the soil surface.