Doses de potássio em cobertura na produção da abobrinha da moita cultivada com e sem capina

Abstract

The use of K in agriculture has been used to provide an improvement in the physiological functions of the plants, resulting in a higher yield and quality of the crops. The objective of this work was to evaluate the development, productivity and fruit quality of shrub zucchini, as a function of the application of potassium doses and management of invasive plants. The work was developed in the experimental field of the State University of Goiás (UEG), Campus Ipameri. Using a completely randomized block design in the 2 x 5 factorial scheme (management of invasive plants x doses) with four replications. Caserta pumpkin seeds from Top Seed® were used, spacing 1.0 x 1.0 m. The application of potassium was performed in a piecemeal manner at 15, 30 and 45 days after planting (DAP). The treatments applied were: 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg ha-1 of K2O. Potassium chloride (60% KCl) was used as the source. The characteristics related to productivity, K and Chlorophyll contents, as well as fruit quality characteristics were evaluated. The data were submitted to analysis of variance (F test) and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. Statistical analyzes were performed using the Sanest statistical analysis program. For the titrable total acidity data, the Friedman test was performed using the R Core Team statistical program. The doses of potassium interfered in the productivity and the quality of the fruits of the zucchini squash. Regardless of the application of K, treatments with weeding produced better quality fruits. The best dose used for development and productivity of the zucchini crop was 212 kg ha-1 K2O.