FORMATION OF SEEDLINGS OF WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus) UNDER EFFECT OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF BIOFERTILIZER

Abstract

The production of vegetable seedlings in the system is a critical step, since seedlings shapely allow the formation of plants with high production capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of foliar biofertilizer training seedlings of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). The study was conducted in Palmas-TO in greenhouse, using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments (0, 2, 4 and 6% of biofertilizer) and four replications. The seeds were sown in trays and, after germination, the seedlings were sprayed with biofertilizer twice a week until they reach the point of transplantation. The characteristics evaluated were number of leaves, height, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, total fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot dry weight and total dry weight. It was applied regression testing to verify the effect of increasing concentrations of biofertilizer. All traits, except number of leaves, responded positively to the use of biofertilizer. The biofertilizer used proves efficient in the formation of watermelon seedlings, in which it provides increases in both the size and biomass of the seedlings. However the application of concentrations above certain limits inhibits the growth of seedlings.