Produção de alface (Lactuca sativa L.) sob diferentes doses de vermicomposto

<p>O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes dosagens de vermicomposto sobre a produção de alface, cultivar Baba de Verão. O ensaio foi conduzido em Latossolo Amarelo Distrófico de textura média fase caatinga litorânea, na Embrapa Meio-Norte, UEP – Parnaíba, de setembro a outubro de 2013. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o de blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram-se das dosagens de vermicomposto aplicadas na adubação das covas: 0 g/cova; 62,5 g/cova; 125 g/cova; 187,5 g/cova e 250 g/cova. As características avaliadas foram: Diâmetro da base (DB); Número de folhas (NF); Massa fresca da parte aérea (MFPA); Massa fresca da raiz (MFR); Massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA) e Massa seca da raiz (MSR). Para todas as características avaliadas o vermicomposto de minhoca apresentou resultados aceitáveis, não havendo diferenças significativas para a maioria das características agronômicas estudadas. Os maiores pesos médios foram obtidos com a dosagem de 187,5 g/cova (40 t/ha). A biomassa fresca e seca da alface obtida nesta dosagem foram superiores em aproximadamente 50 e 49%, respectivamente, em relação à testemunha. O mesmo observa-se para a massa fresca e seca das raízes (25 e 24%, respectivamente), apesar de não diferirem estatisticamente entre os demais tratamentos. Apesar dos problemas relacionados ao pendoamento, a utilização do vermicomposto, permitiu a obtenção de alface, demonstrando que a adubação de plantio com este insumo orgânico pode ser considerada uma prática promissora na produção dessa hortaliça em sistemas orgânicos na região. Entretanto, é importante se adequar a época de cultivo, ou então, trabalhar com cultivares adaptadas para as condições edafoclimáticas da região. </p><p align="center"><strong><em>Production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under different doses of worm compost</em></strong><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Abstract</strong><strong>: </strong>Different dosages of fertilization on the production of lettuce, cultivate Baba of summer. The test was conducted on Yellow Latosol Distrophic loam savanna, coastal phase in Embrapa Meio-Norte, UEP-Parnaíba, from September to October 2013. The experimental design was randomized block, with five treatments and four replicates. The treatments were the dosages of fertilization applied in fertilization of pits: 0 g/cova; 62.5 g/cova; 125 g/cova; 187.5 and 250 g/cova. The characteristics evaluated were: base diameter (DB); Number of leaves (NF); Fresh pasta from the shoot (MFPA); Fresh root weight (MFR); Aerial dry mass (MSPA) and root dry mass (MSR). For all traits evaluated the worm compost worm showed acceptable results, there are no significant differences for the vast majority of agronomic characteristics studied. The largest average weights were obtained with the dosage of 187.5 g/cova (tha 40). The fresh and dry lettuce biomass obtained in this determination were superior in approximately 50 and 49, respectively, in relation to the control. The same is observed for the fresh and dry weight of roots (25 and 24, respectively), although do not differ statistically among the other treatments. Despite the problems related to the pendoamento, worm compost utilization, allowed the obtaining of lettuce with a good standard, demonstrating that the fertilization of planting with this organic input can be considered a promising practice in the production of vegetables in organic systems in the region. However, it is important to fit the time of cultivation, or so, working with cultivars adapted to the soil and climate conditions of the region.</p>

The metabolizable energy value of earthworm meal (Eisenia fetida, Oligochaeta) as a potential protein source in animal feeds

The compost worm, Eisenia fetida can be reared in large numbers on organic waste. This opens up the possibility to recover waste protein if E. fetida could be used as a protein source in animal feeds. The value of the protein was therefore researched by determining the metabolizable energy. The TME (true metabolizable energy) was relatively high viz. 15,51 and 15,3 MJ kg-1. This compared favourably with that of fish meal and carcas meal.

The chemical and ammo acid composition of the compost worm Eisenia fetida as potential protein source in animal feeds

There is an increasing demand for protein rich materials in the animal feed industry in South Africa. Intensive cattle husbandry as well as abattoirs are producing large quantities of organic waste, the protein content of which is not utilized. The compost worm, Eisenia fetida, can be reared in large numbers on this waste. This opens up the possibility to recover waste protein if E. fetida could be used as a protein source in animal feeds. The value of the protein was therefore researched by determining the general chemical composition and amino acid composition. The earthworm meal contained all the essential amino acids required in poultry feeds, in favourable ratios. The methionine and lysine availability was higher than that of fish meal.