LETTUCE SPRAYING IN THE SUMMER WITH HOMEOPATHIC PREPARATIONS AND CALCIUM SOURCES
MW Pedrosa; HEP Martinez; MAN Sediyama; VWD Casali; MCM Fonseca; MP Torres
ABSTRACT: The aim of this bioassay was to evaluate spraying effect with
homeopathic solution and calcium sources on vegetative characteristics and tipburn
occurrence on 2 lettuce cultivars grown at hydroponic system during the summer. The
trial was set up on subdivided plots. The treatments were foliar sprayed with calcium
nitrate (0.04M); Calbit C 0.3%; Chelal Ca 0.3%; Calcarea carbônica C6; Calcarea
phosphorica C6 and distillated water as control and as subplots were, the lettuce cvs.
Brasil-303 and Lucy Brown. The trial was set on randomized blocks with 3 repetitions.
Two visual samplings were made on the plants to evaluate tipburn. The harvest
occurred at the 38th and 50th days after seeding. Results of experiment were evaluated
statiscally using Tukey and Dunnett tests. The spraying with Ca(NO3)2 promoted plant
development and consequently a greater dry matter accumulation on aerial part of the
plant of Lucy Brown. The sprayings with homeopathic solution and calcium sources
were not efficient on preventing tipburn incidence. The commercial product Chelal Ca,
with the doses, proportioned tipburn of the leaves, demonstrating not being adequated
for these cultivars.
Keywords: Lactuca sativa L., calcium, tipburn, homeopathy