Crescimento e produção de abacaxizeiro cv. brs imperial fertirrigado sob mulching submetido a concentrações de biocarvão

Abstract

The pineapple plant is one of the most economically important tropical fruit trees, due to its sweet and acidic pulp, pleasant aroma, and juicy texture. It is consumed both fresh and processed. In Alagoas, the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices and varieties resistant to fusarium wilt, such as the BRS Imperial cultivar, has been a demand from producers who aim to reduce the crop cycle and increase productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of algaroba biochar (0, 20, 40, and 60 t ha−1) on the growth and productivity of pineapple cv. BRS Imperial, grown with fertigation and under mulch cover. The experiment was conducted at CECA/UFAL, in Rio Largo-AL, in a randomized block design, with four treatments and five replicates. Variables of vegetative growth, physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits after harvest, and productivity parameters were evaluated. The data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were compared using Tukey's test at a 5% probability level. Biochar did not promote significant increases in plant growth and productivity, although it favored the emission of suckers. The highest productivity was observed in the absence of biochar (0 t ha−1), indicating that the effect of the material is slow and depends on longer interaction with the soil. In conclusion, under the conditions of the Alagoas Forest Zone, the use of algaroba biochar had a limited effect on pineapple growth, while the use of mulching and fertigation proved to be more efficient and promising for the commercial cultivation of the BRS Imperial cultivar.