Initial development and photosynthetic efficiency of black pepper plants, cv. Bragantina, under different substrates, irrigation regimes, application of Trichoderma spp. and inoculation with Fusarium solani f.sp. piperis
Piper nigrum L.. Fusariosis. Chlorophyll a Fluorescênce. Irrigation schedule.
This study aimed to evaluate chemical and physical characteristics of soilless substrates, as well as their potential for the production of black pepper seedlings (Piper nigrum L.), cv. Bragantina, submitted to different irrigation regimes. In addition, the objective was to evaluate the use of commercial products based on Trichoderma spp., As growth promoters and biocontrollers of Fusarium solani f.sp. piperis, under such water supply conditions. For this, the bioavailable and total chemical and physical characteristics of six substrates formulated with crushed coconut fiber (F), biosolid (B), vermicompost (V) and granite rock powder (P), in addition to a substrate were determined and compared commercial (SC). Two experiments were also carried out, with the first one evaluating the vegetative development of black pepper seedlings, grown on three soilless substrates [S1 = B + F (3:1); S2 = B + P (3:1); and S3 = B + F + P (2:1:1)], under five irrigation regimes (36%, 54%, 85%, 100% and 126% of the reference irrigation depth). In the third experiment, vegetative development and fluorescence characteristics of chlorophyll a from black pepper plants, cv. Bragantina, submitted to: Four irrigation regimes (41%, 59%, 79% and 100% of the reference irrigation depth); Application of commercial products based on Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma stromaticum; Inoculation with Fusarium solani f.sp. piperis. The substrate formulated with biosolid (B) and granite powder (P), in the volumetric proportion of 3: 1, respectively, presented a higher bulk density value, while lower values were observed for SC. The latter showed greater water retention capacity, while the former was less able to retain water. Substrates with V in their composition had a significant increase in bioavailable Mn, while the addition of P increased the levels of Fe in the substrates. According to the results of the second experiment, regardless of the type of substrate used, the higher the irrigation regimes, the greater length of the main stem (H) and dry matter accumulation in aerial part (MSPA) of black pepper plants, cv. Bragantina, this relationship being inverse for water use efficiency (USA). Irrigation regimes equal to or greater than 85% of the reference depth, associated with the substrate S3, produced plants with patterns similar to those required for planting in the field, and superior to the other studied substrates. Regarding the third experiment, there was no significant effect of inoculation by Fusarium solani f.sp. piperis on the characteristics of vegetative development evaluated, therefore, it was not possible to identify the antagonistic effect of Trichoderma spp. about the phytopathogen. The application of Trichoderma stromaticum, at a concentration of 4.56 x 105 UFC.g-1 of substrate, increased the accumulation of dry matter in roots. The accumulation of dry matter in the plants was significantly and positively influenced by the irrigation regimes. Larger groupings between FSII units and stability of the oxygen evolution complex occurred in plants subjected to the lowest irrigation regimes and not inoculated with Fusarium solani f.sp. piperis, by the OJIP test. Photosynthetic efficiency and PIABS performance index of black pepper plants, cv. Bragantina, decreased linearly with the increase in irrigation regimes. Under irrigation regime of 41% of the reference irrigation depth, inoculation with Fusarium solani f.sp. piperis reduced the photosynthetic efficiency of black pepper plants to 180 DAT.