Desempenho agronômico de mamoeiro sob diferentes densidades de plantio e cobertura do solo

Abstract

In modern agriculture there is a growing demand for technologies that make it possible to produce food using fewer and fewer resources. The use of plastic “mulch” and high density cultivation can provide increased efficiency in the use of resources such as water and nutrients, with a possible increase in productivity. However, there is little information on the use of these techniques for papaya cultivation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance, distribution and root growth of papaya cv. Tainung n°1 in an orchard cultivated using plastic “mulch” and different planting densities. The experimental design was a randomized block design with split plot design, with eight treatments and four replications. The experimental unit consisted of a row of plants containing six plants, of which five were useful. The experimental plot consisted of two ground cover conditions: with and without the use of plastic “mulch”. In the subplot four E1 = 3,5 x 1,7 m spacings were studied in single rows, which is the most used spacing; E2 = 3,5 x 1,0 m single row with one plant per pit; E3 = 3,5 x 2,5 m with two plants per longitudinal direction pit; E4 = 3,5 x 2,0 m with two plants per pit in a transverse direction in relation to the planting line. The stem diameter and leaf area of papaya were influenced by the different planting densities. The highest yield of commercial fruits 30.658 t ha-1 was obtained at the density 2.857 plants ha-1, spaced at 3,5 x 2,0m in a single row with two plants per pit. There was greater root expansion near the emitters. The highest total root concentration was in the density of 2.857 plants ha-1 spacing of 3,5 x 1,0 m, with one plant per pit. There was no significant effect of planting and soil cover densities on the effective root depth and root density of papaya cv. Tainung n°1. The use of plastic “mulch” did not significantly affect crop yield and soil moisture. The treatments studied did not influence the physicochemical quality of papaya fruits.