ABSTRACT
Zucchini is one of the ten most important vegetable crops grown in Brazil. It has a high nutritional value, and is used as main ingredient of cakes, candies and animal food. Despite the economical and nutritional importance, few researches are available about its propagation and fertilization. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the earthworm humus on the development of young zucchini plants. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse from November (2012) to January (2013) in a complete randomized design, with six doses (0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 1000 g of earthworm humus per a 1,5 L pot) and four replications. The plants grown in 1000 g had higher levels of dry mass of leaf, stem and root. Regression analysis showed that the dosage of 750 g allowed the maximum values of leaf area ratio and leaf weight ratio variables. A positive relationship was identified between the proportion of humus and the dry mass of leaves + stem, root dry mass and total dry mass. a and b chlorophyll levels were higher at doses of 575 and 644 g, respectively. Therefore, the use of earthworm humus favors the physiological development of young zucchini plants.
Keywords:
Cucurbita pepo; organic fertilization; chlorophyll content; dry weight of plants; physiological development.
