Aplicação de Boro e Silício aumenta a produtividade e a qualidade de fibras do algodoeiro

Abstract

The cotton crop is more susceptible to the deficiency of B, causing low yield and loss of productivity, stress that can be overcome with adequate fertilization and aid of application of Si. The objective of this study was to verify the possible increments in the productivity and in the fiber quality of cotton cultivated with the supply of B via soil, associated with foliar application of Si. The experiment was carried out with cotton cultivation under field conditions, in the municipality of Chapadão do Sul - MS. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, in a 3x2 factorial scheme, with three doses of B: 0.0 kg ha-1 (deficiency); 2.0 kg ha-1 (recommended dose) and 4.0 kg ha-1 (excess); in the presence and absence of Si, with four replications, totaling 24 plots. Leaf analysis of B and Si content was performed, productivity and quality of cotton fiber were evaluated, being measured: micronaire, length, breaking strength, short fiber index and elongation. It was observed that the borate fertilization promoted an increase in productivity and fiber quality, increasing the micronaire (Mic), and decreasing the short fiber index (SFI) and the foliar application of silicon promoted an increase of the micronaire (MIC) and in the resistance of the wires to breakage (Str). Both had an isolated effect on the culture, since the BxSi interaction was not significant for any of the analyzed parameters.

Keywords: Gossypium hirsutum L., beneficial element, micronaire, plant nutrition