Production of watermelon seedlings in different substrates under salt stress

Abstract

Salt stress affects the production of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seedlings. However, substrates with alternative materials in their composition can mitigate the harmful effects on the formation of watermelon seedlings. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the emergence and production of watermelon seedlings grown in different substrates under salt stress. The research was conducted in an agricultural greenhouse belonging to the Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira, Redenção, Ceará, Brazil. The experimental design used was completely randomized in a split-plot scheme. The plots were five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (ECw: 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 dS m-1) and the subplots consisted of two formulations of substrates (SB1: sandy soil + sand + bovine manure; and SB2: sandy soil + sand + biochar; both in a 1:1:1 proportion on volume basis), with five repetitions of 25 seeds. The increase in the electrical conductivity of irrigation water from 1.5 dS m-1 reduces the percentage, speed index, and mean speed of emergence and increases the mean time of emergence of the watermelon crop. Substrate formulated with biochar reduces the time and increases the emergence indexes, besides enabling higher growth and biomass accumulation of watermelon seedlings. Salt stress reduces the growth, biomass, and quality of watermelon seedlings, but with less intensity with the addition of biochar.

Effect of dormancy on the emergence of Tabernaemontana heterophylla seedlings in different substrates

“…Seed germination and seedling emergence are strongly influenced by a type of dormancy, in addition to the type of sowing substrates, which are crucial for seedling quality (Han et al, 2018, Sousa et al, 2023. Among the numerous elements that affect seedling production, substrate composition not only influences seed germination but also plays a crucial role in seedling support and development by providing nutrients, water and oxygen (Silva et al, 2023) and promoting higher photosynthetic efficiency (Afonso et al, 2020).…”

Efficiency of Nitrogen Fertilization in Millet Irrigated with Brackish Water

“…However, the water resources available for irrigating crops have become increasingly scarce, and there is competition with the consumption of populations and other economic activities in the semi-arid northeast of Brazil. In addition, in many regions, including northeast Brazil, some water sources, especially those of underground origin, have a high concentration of soluble salts, which often represent the only source for irrigation [4][5][6].…”

Hydropriming and substrates affect the emergence and production of Calendula officinalis L. seedlings

“…Another important factor for obtaining high quality seedlings is the selection of the substrate. This is because the substrate must have characteristics such as: porosity, water retention and fertility (SANTOS et al, 2020;SCHAFER et al, 2022;SOUSA et al, 2023), which favor nutrition, water balance and seedling growth. Furthermore, the substrate formulation varies according to the reality of the producer, especially regarding materials available in the rural property or region, in addition to the financial resources for the acquisition of external inputs.…”