Germinação de sementes e desenvolvimento de plântulas de alface tratadas com diferentes bioestulantes a base de algas

Abstract

Lettuce is of significant economic importance as it is the most consumed leafy vegetable by Brazilians. This culture is propagated by seeds. In order to ensure productivity, technologies have been developed to ensure good seed quality and optimal crop establishment. As an alternative, we can mention the use of algae-based biostimulants, which can have positive effects, improving seed vigor. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate seed germination and seedling development of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), with application of different types and doses of biostimulants. The experiment was carried out in the seed and grain laboratory of the Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó campus, in a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme (biostimulants and doses) with five replications. Iceberg lettuce seeds and two commercial algae-based biostimulants were used: ProPlex® and C-Weed Plus®. The doses used in the seed treatment were 0, 4, 8 and 16 ml.L⁻¹ of biostimulant. The percentage of germination at 4 and 7 DAS (days after sowing) and percentage of abnormal seedlings, seedling length (shoots and roots) and seedling dry mass at 7 DAS were evaluated. The results were submitted to analysis of variance, comparison of means by Tukey's test for the type of biostimulant factor and regression analysis for the factor doses of biostimulant. The use of algae-based biostimulants, used in the treatment of lettuce seeds, did not promote considerable benefits in the germination process. As for vigor, there was no improvement in seedling length and root dry mass, as for the variable shoot dry mass, a linear increase was observed as a function of the increase in the doses used for both treatments, highlighting the biostimulant ProPlex® with better results.