Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl) seedling production and transplanting in different containers

Abstract

The seedling production of gourd in protected environmental may be an alternative to the use of seed directly in crop system. Thus, the study aimed to verify if the production and transplanting of gourd seedlings in different types and sizes of containers may be agronomic alternative to gourd crop. Two experiments were conducted sequentially in time to assess the growth and response of the species to transplanting. In the first experiment with 6 replications, we compared for 38 days the biomasses of the plants grown in tray cells and in black plastic bags. Upon transplanting the seedlings to pots, they were grown for 37 days more in a 2 x 2 bifactorial arrangement with 4 replications. At 24 days after emergence (DAE), the emergence percentage was 50.7% and the seedlings were 8.9 cm high. Seedlings produced in the plastic bag exhibited 30% more biomass than seedlings produced in tray cells. At 61 DAE, the transplanted seedlings produced initially in the larger container exhibited a 100% survival rate and greater height. The viability of transplanting organic seedlings of gourd broadens their use as a multifunctional ornamental plant in sustainable landscaping, in addition to direct planting as a crop.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/tfisdwv1-116