Revista Verde de Agroecologia e Desenvolvimento Sustentável

Composting sheep manure and bean straw for vegetable farming

Lucas Pereira Scheidt Feltz — 2024-07-03

Composting is a fundamental process in the sustainable management of organic waste, offering an environmentally responsible solution for recycling organic matter. It involves the biological production of heat, rapidly converting organic matter and releasing useful and beneficial substances to the soil. This study aims to analyze the quality and process of composting with sheep manure and bean straw and evaluate its performance in vegetable cultivation. The study was conducted in the experimental area in Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil. The composting method used was the windrow type. Bean straw and sheep manure were used, with a compost formation period of 120 days. To evaluate the composting, lettuce was chosen, assessing plant height, fresh and dry mass, root system, plant diameter, and number of leaves in different soils and fertilizer mixtures. The composting showed positive results in pH, CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity), organic matter, moisture, and temperature parameters. The resulting organic materials showed a reduction in natural color, a decrease in odors, and adequate maturation. In the lettuce crop, the compost contributed to the development of the plants compared to soil without the presence of the compost.

Agro-economic performance of arugula fertilized with chicken manure

Witor Marcelo da Silva Oliveira — 2024-07-03

The arugula is a vegetable widely consumed by the Brazilian population due to its spicy flavor, captivating odor, high dietary value, and being a source of vitamins and minerals. It is a leafy green much appreciated by consumers who seek a healthy diet. To evaluate the agro-economic performance of arugula fertilized with different amounts of chicken manure, research was conducted at the “Rafael Fernandes” Experimental Farm in the district of Lagoinha, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, from July to September 2019. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with 4 treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of four quantities of chicken manure (5, 10, 20, and 40 t ha-¹) on a dry basis. The characteristics evaluated were plant height, number of leaves, yield of fresh and dry mass of the aerial part. The economic indices evaluated such as gross income, net income, return rate, and profitability index. The quantities of chicken manure influenced the performance of the arugula, with the greatest plant height, fresh mass yield, and dry mass yield of the aerial part obtained at 40 t ha-¹ incorporated into the soil. The number of leaves was not influenced by the tested quantities. The greatest agro-economic efficiency obtained for arugula cultivation was with the use of chicken manure in the quantity of 40 t ha-¹.

Reproductive biology of Cereus jamacaru DC. subsp. jamacaru (Cactaceae) in the phytophysiognomies of Eastern Curimataú Paraibano

Rayane Ellen de Oliveira Jerônimo — 2024-07-03

Cereus jamacaru subsp. jamacaru (Cactaceae), popularly known as mandacaru, stands out for its ecological relevance in storing large amounts of water, being crucial as forage support for ruminants during drought periods in northeastern Brazil. This study aimed to analyze the pollen viability and morphometry of flower buds and fruits of C. jamacaru in four areas of the municipality of Solânea, located in the Curimataú Oriental, in the state of Paraíba. Ten individuals in their phenological peak were selected, from which 10 flower buds and 10 fruits were collected in each area, performing biometry and morphometry. The results indicated a significant effect for all variables analyzed among individuals from the four areas. The correlation showed significant differences in the morphometric values of the buds and fruits of C. jamacaru, which may influence the reproduction of this plant. The populations of C. jamacaru show morphological differences in reproductive structures, indicating a qualitative gradient proportional to anthropogenic influence, despite being in similar climatic areas. In regions more affected by human activity, lower values of floral bud and fruit variables were observed, which may have influenced the reproductive biology of these individuals.

Post-harvest losses in the commercialization of organic vegetables at the Municipal Organic Market fair in Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil

Veronica Maria Neto Lopes — 2024-07-03

The study aimed to verify losses in the commercialization of organic vegetables: lettuce (Lactuca sativa), chives (Allium schoenoprasum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), and kale (Brassica oleracea) among four farmers who sell these vegetables at the Organic Municipal Market fair in Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil. The methodology used was an exploratory-descriptive field study with primary data collection in the gardens and during the fairs. The investigation results showed that the post-harvest process of vegetables, involving cleaning, separation, and packaging, is always done the day before the fairs. Packaging of the products is sometimes carried out after the vegetables arrive at the market. The data also showed post-harvest losses in the sale of vegetables during the fairs due to inadequate packaging of the products and the incidence of sunlight on some stalls, causing the vegetables to wilt.