Interações entre húmus líquido e plantas de cobertura aplicados aos sistemas de produção agrícola de base ecológica

Abstract

The search for healthier foods and without the use of pesticides is increasing. In addition, the concern with environmental degradation has become more evident over the years. Thus, one of the great challenges for agriculture is to reconcile productivity with minimal environmental impact, thus the use of ecological concepts and practices in agriculture is increasing mainly in family production units, with the transition from conventional to agroecological systems. Through ecologically based production systems it is possible to produce sustainable food in addition to increasing the abundance and diversity of agro-ecosystems. These production systems aim to minimize the use of external inputs on the property, in this way the uses of organic fertilization practices become of great importance to make food production possible. Among these fertilizers, earthworm humus stands out, as it is easily produced on the rural property using animal manure and Eisenia andrei earthworms. Another practice that can be associated with the use of this fertilizer is cover crops, an ancient practice widely used and that plays a fundamental role in maintaining soil health, in addition to recycling nutrients and being beneficial for subsequent crops. Thus, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of using different species of green manure associated with the use of liquid humus in the production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and to evaluate the influence of the association of these practices on soil attributes. The treatments used were three summer green fertilizers: crotalaria juncea, black mucuna and millet in addition to fallow. 10% liquid humus and water were applied in the control treatment. The best results in lettuce productivity were observed in the areas with the cultivation of corn and fallow, both with application of liquid humus. This treatment also led to an increase in the soil's organic matter. After lettuce cultivation, the following winter green manure species were sown: turnip, vetch and black oats. 10% liquid humus was also applied and in the control treatments water was added. The succession of green manure was beneficial for the soil because there was an accumulation of inorganic nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate and organic matter mainly in the plots where there was forage turnip in succession from the crotalaria with the use of liquid humus.