Desempenho agronómico da Alface (Lactuca sativa) sob diferentes intervalos de rega, cobertura morta e incorporação da Palha em Solo Salino na Associação 10 de Novembro no distrito de Kamubukwana

Abstract

Soil salinity is one of the main abiotic factors limiting vegetable production, harming plant development and yield, as well as degrading the soil. Therefore, adopting management practices that improve soil conditions and reduce the effects of salinity is essential to ensure good agronomic performance in saline environments. This study aims to evaluate the agronomic performance of lettuce under different irrigation intervals, mulch, and straw incorporation in saline soil. To this end, a trial was conducted between July and October 2025 at the 10 de Novembro association in the Kamubukwana district. The experiment was conducted following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement, with 2 factors: irrigation intervals (2 levels, daily irrigation and irrigation every two days) and soil management (3 levels, mulch, buried straw, and local practice serving as a control). Thus, the experiment consisted of a 2x3 factorial design, totaling 6 treatments, with 4 replications, 24 experimental plots, each plot with an area of (1.5 m x 0.9 m). Growth parameters (number of leaves, height), soil parameters (pH and EC) in the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm layers, and crop yield were evaluated over five weeks. Daily irrigation resulted in greater plant height and number of leaves; soil pH and EC were not significantly affected in the surface layer (0-20 cm); in the subsurface layer (20-40 cm), the treatment with irrigated mulch every two days showed the lowest EC value; lettuce yield was higher with daily irrigation (16 t. ha−1 ). In this case, daily irrigation was recommended as a way to minimize the effect of salinity on lettuce production.