Avaliação da eficácia de diferentes doses de esterco bovino na produção da alface (Lactuca sativa L.) em condições de campo aberto

Abstract

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is one of the most widely cultivated and consumed leafy vegetables, playing an important nutritional and socioeconomic role, especially within the context of family farming in Mozambique. However, the high cost of mineral fertilizers and the environmental impacts associated with their use limit productivity and the sustainability of production systems. In this context, organic fertilization with cattle manure emerges as a viable alternative to improve soil fertility and the agronomic performance of the crop. The study evaluated the effect of different doses of cattle manure on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production under open-field conditions. The experiment, conducted at the Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry Engineering of UEM, adopted a completely randomized design with three treatments (4 kg/m², 2 kg/m², and 0 kg/m² of cattle manure) and four replications. The variables analyzed included number of leaves, plant height, diameter, fresh weight, and dry weight. The results indicated that organic fertilization with cattle manure significantly influenced all evaluated variables, with the 4 kg/m² treatment standing out by presenting the highest values for lettuce growth and productivity. It is concluded that the application of application of 4 kg/m² of cattle manure improves vegetative development and lettuce yield, constituting a sustainable alternative to mineral fertilization.