Planting density and doses of fermented compost on the yield and chemical and nutritional properties of 'beni-imo' sweet potatoes under organic management
Ipomoea batatas L.; Spacing; Bokashi
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the yield and the chemical and nutritional properties of purple-fleshed sweet potato roots 'Beni-imo' as a function of planting density and doses of fermented compost under organic management. The experiment was carried out at Fazendinha Agroecológica Km 47 (partnership with CTUR, Embrapa Agrobiologia, Pesagro-Rio and UFRRJ) located in the municipality of Seropédica-RJ. The experimental design adopted was in randomized blocks subdivided and four repetitions. The primary factor consisted of doses of fermented compost, equivalent to 0, 50, 100, 200 kg of N ha–1, corresponding to 0, 1,250, 2,500 and 5,000 kg ha-1 of the compost, respectively. The secondary factor consisted of the planting density with three plant spacing (0.2; 0.3 and 0.4 m), corresponding to 166,666, 111,111 and 83,333 plants ha−1, respectively. The fermented compost was made with the formulation of 60% wheat bran; 40% castor bean cake and addition of commercial inoculum Embiotic® (São Paulo, Korin). The harvest was carried out 180 days after planting (DAP) by cutting the aerial part using a scythe, using a hoe and manually collecting the roots. Total number of roots (TNR) were evaluated; number of roots with commercial standard (NRC); total fresh root mass (TMR); fresh root mass with commercial standard (MRC). Total and commercial production of fresh roots per plant was estimated; productivity and commercial yield in Mg ha-1.From samples of fresh roots, pH, soluble solids (Brix content), total acidity, total anthocyanins, reducing carbohydrates, moisture and total starch were determined. The data obtained will be subjected to normality and homogeneity tests of error variances. The Tukey test will be applied, at the level of 5% probability to compare the means of qualitative variables. Regression analyzes will be carried out for the sources of quantitative variation regarding the doses of compost fermented in the organic production system of Fazendinha Agroecológica Km 47. With the research data, it is intended to prepare a technical bulletin on agroecological-based production technology for the cultivation of sweet potatoes (Beni-imo) in the Baixada Fluminense region. The didactic material will be presented in the form of a training course and also, the preparation and availability, free of charge, printed and digital of the bulletin with the family farmers served by the UFRRJ extension program, in order to guarantee access to the content produced and disseminate the results found.