ABSTRACT Cenostigma pyramidale is an endemic species of Brazil, widely spread in the Caatinga biome. The conditions in the semi-arid Northeastern region of Brazil can affect the development of plants due to the irregularity of rainfall, limiting the availability of water and reducing the germination and initial growth of native species. Therefore, seed priming with salicylic acid may mitigate the effects of water stress on plants. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of seed osmopriming with salicylic acid as a water deficit attenuator on germination and initial growth of C. pyramidale seedlings. A completely randomized design in a 5 × 5 factorial scheme, corresponding to five osmotic potentials (Ψs - 0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa) and five doses of salicylic acid (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mM), with four repetitions of 25 seeds, was used. Germination and initial growth of C. pyramidale were compromised by water deficit. Osmopriming of seeds with salicylic acid at a dose of 0.63 mM is an efficient strategy to reduce the effect of water deficit in the germination stage from the potential of -0.2 MPa. The vigor of C. pyramidale seeds increased under deficit conditions with the application of salicylic acid, with the concentration varying from 0.5 to 1.0 mM. Osmopriming seeds with 0.87 mM salicylic acid promotes the development of vigorous seedlings under water deficit conditions. biome semiarid semi arid rainfall Therefore C scheme Ψs 0 0.3, 03 3 -0.3 0.6, 06 6 -0.6 0.9 09 9 -0. 1.2 12 1 2 -1. MPa (0 05 10 15 1. 20 2. mM, , mM) used 063 63 0.6 0.2 02 0. 087 87 0.8 0.3 -0 -1 ( 08 8

RESUMO A Cenostigma pyramidale é uma espécie endêmica do Brasil, com ampla ocorrência na Caatinga. As condições do Semiárido nordestino podem afetar o desenvolvimento vegetal devido a irregularidade das chuvas, limitando a disponibilidade hídrica, podendo reduzir a germinação e o crescimento inicial das espécies. Dessa forma, o uso de estratégias como o condicionamento de sementes com ácido salicílico pode ser uma estratégia para atenuar o efeito do déficit hídrico nas plantas. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o osmocondicionamento de sementes de C. pyramidale com ácido salicílico como atenuante do déficit hídrico na germinação e crescimento inicial de plântulas. O experimento foi realizado com delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 5 × 5, sendo cinco potenciais osmóticos - ψo (0; -0,3; -0.6; -0,9 e -1.2 MPa) e cinco concentrações de ácido salicílico (0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2.0 mM), com quatro repetições de 25 sementes. A germinação e o crescimento inicial de C. pyramidale foi comprometido pelo estresse hídrico. O osmocondicionamento das sementes com ácido salicílico na dose de 0,63 mM é uma estratégia eficiente para reduzir o efeito do déficit hídrico na fase de germinação a partir de potenciais de -0,2 MPa. O vigor das sementes de C. pyramidale, sob condições de déficit aumentou com à aplicação de ácido salicílico, com a concentração variando de 0,5 até 1,0 mM. O osmocondicionamento das sementes com a concentração de 0,87 mM favoreceu a obtenção de plântulas vigorosas, sob condições de déficit hídrico. Brasil Caatinga chuvas hídrica espécies forma plantas C casualizado 0 (0 0,3 03 3 -0,3 0.6 06 6 -0.6 0,9 09 9 -0, 1.2 12 1 2 -1. MPa 05 10 15 1, 20 2. mM, , mM) 063 63 0,6 0,2 02 0, 087 87 0,8 vigorosas ( 0. -0. -0 1. -1 08 8

Abstract Pomegranate is a fruit with potential for exploitation in the Brazilian Northeast as medicine and food. However, the qualitative and quantitative scarcity of water resources is common in this region, requiring the use of water with high salt contents in irrigated agriculture. The adoption of strategies to reduce the harmful effects of salt stress in plants is therefore necessary, and foliar nitrogen (N) fertilization is a promising alternative. The objective of the work, therefore, was to evaluate the photochemical and phytomass aspects of pomegranate seedlings grown under irrigation water salinity and foliar nitrogen fertilization. The experiment was performed in a randomized block design, in an incomplete factorial scheme, with five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw (0.50, 1.15, 2.75, 4.35 and 5.00 dS m-1) and five nitrogen doses - N (0.0, 0.33, 1.15, 1.97 and 2.30 g L-1), totaling nine combinations, generated by the Central Composite Design, with four repetitions and two plants per repetition. Foliar N application at a dose of 1.37 g L-1 increased the production of leaf and root dry phytomass at 90 days after emergence. Salt stress reduced the photochemical activity and phytomass production of pomegranate seedlings, while there was a stimulus by increasing N application up to 2.3 g L-1. food However region agriculture necessary (N alternative work design scheme 0.50, 050 0 50 (0.50 115 1 15 1.15 275 2 75 2.75 435 4 35 4.3 500 5 00 5.0 m1 m m-1 0.0, (0.0 033 33 0.33 197 97 1.9 230 30 L1, L1 L , L-1) combinations Design repetition 137 37 1.3 L- 9 emergence 23 3 2. L1. 1. 0.50 05 (0.5 11 1.1 27 7 2.7 43 4. 5. m- 0.0 (0. 03 0.3 19 13 0.5 0. (0 (

Resumo A romã é uma fruteira com potencial de exploração no Nordeste brasileiro com potencial de uso como composto medicinal e na alimentação. Porém, a escassez qualitativa e quantitativa dos recursos hídricos é comum nesta região, sendo necessário o uso de águas com elevados teores de sais na agricultura irrigada. Assim, é necessário a adoção de estratégias para reduzir os efeitos deletérios do estresse salino sobre as plantas, sendo a adubação foliar nitrogenada uma alternativa promissora. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar os aspectos fotoquímicos e as fitomassas da romãzeira em função da salinidade da água de irrigação e adubação foliar de nitrogênio (N). O experimento foi realizado em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, em arranjo fatorial incompleto, com cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água - CEa (0,50; 1,15; 2,75; 4,35 e 5,00 dS m-1) e cinco doses de nitrogênio - N (0,0; 0,33; 1,15; 1,97 e 2,30 g L-1), totalizando nove combinações, gerados pela matrix Composto Central de Box, com quatro repetições e duas plantas por repetição. A aplicação foliar de N na dose de 1,37 g L-1, aumentou a produção de fitomassa seca de folhas e da raiz, aos 90 dias após a emergência. O estresse salino reduziu a atividade fotoquímica e a produção de fitomassa das plantas de romã, enquanto houve um estimulo pela aplicação crescente de N até 2,3 g L-1. alimentação Porém região irrigada Assim promissora N. . (N) casualizados incompleto 0,50 050 0 50 (0,50 1,15 115 1 15 2,75 275 2 75 435 4 35 4,3 500 5 00 5,0 m1 m m-1 0,0 (0,0 0,33 033 33 197 97 1,9 230 30 L1, L1 L , L-1) combinações Box repetição 137 37 1,3 1, L-1 raiz 9 emergência 23 3 2, L1. 1. (N 0,5 05 (0,5 1,1 11 2,7 27 7 43 4, 5, m- 0, (0, 0,3 03 19 13 L- (0 (

Abstract Studies about the viability and vigor of seeds during storage, especially on the characterization of enzymatic changes, may increase the harvesting efficiency of immature seeds and guarantee their viability for a prolonged period. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the behavior of immature seeds of Tabebuia caraiba during storage. For this, thirty selected mother plants at the anthesis stage located in São João do Cariri and Sumé, Paraíba, Brazil were selected. Flowers of each tree were marked, and the fruits were harvested at 35, 42, and 49 days after anthesis (DAA) and characterized according to their maturation stages. The seeds from each maturation stage and city were packed in paper bags and stored in a refrigerator (6 ± 2 °C) for 360 days. The seed quality, seedling vigor, and enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX) were evaluated at the beginning of the storage period and intervals of 90 days. The seeds of T. caraiba harvested at 35, 42, and 49 DAA maintained high viability for 360 days of storage. T. caraiba seeds stored for 360 days withstood with high vigor when harvested at 42 DAA. The CAT, SOD, and POX activity was correlated to the deterioration process of the seeds under storage conditions. changes Therefore Sumé Paraíba marked 35 4 (DAA stages 6 ( °C C 36 quality SOD , (SOD) CAT (CAT) (POX 9 T conditions 3 (SOD (CAT

ABSTRACT Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) is an annual herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family that has economic importance for many regions around the world. Thus, ecophysiological studies are needed to assess this species growth and dispersal. This work aimed to obtain equations from regression models that meaningfully estimate the leaf area of basil cultivars using linear dimensions of leaves. For this purpose, 300 leaves from 'Italiano Roxo' and 500 leaves from 'Folha Fina' cultivar were collected from plants cultivated in a greenhouse. Then, the length, width, and leaf area of each leaf were measured, and product of length by width were calculated. The equations were adjusted using the simple linear, linear without intercept, quadratic, cubic, power, and exponential regression models. Criteria for selecting the best equations were highest determination coefficient and Willmott's agreement index, lowest Akaike information criterion and root mean square error, and BIAS index closest to zero. All the equations fitted using the product of length by width (L.W) can estimate the leaf area of basil cultivars. Thus, basil leaf area can be estimated through a non-destructive method using linear dimensions of leaves. However, the equation ŷ = 0.8175*LW0.9307 is the most suitable for 'Italiano Roxo' and ŷ = 0.6335*LW for 'Folha Fina'.

ABSTRACT. The forage palm is widely cultivated in semiarid regions. It has a basic chromosome number of x = 11 and polyploids are the main variation. It is propagated via vegetative reproduction, and sexual propagation is rarely used. The objective was to associate the physiological quality of seeds of different cultivars of forage palm with the level of ploidy in the genera Opuntia and Nopalea. The cultivars used were: diploids (2n = 22) ‘F8’, ‘F21’, and ‘IPA Sertânia’; tetraploids (2n = 44) ‘Clone 6 African Elephant Ear’, ‘Mexican Elephant Ear’, and ‘V19’, and octaploids (2n = 88) ‘Round’, ‘Giant’, and ‘IPA Clone 20’. Thousand seed weight, length, diameter, number of seeds per fruit, first count and emergence percentage, shoot and root length, fresh and dry mass, electrical conductivity, and length, width, and fresh and dry weight of cladodes were measured. A nested scheme design was used, with three levels of ploidy and three cultivars within each level. The ploidy level positively influenced the number of seeds per fruit and the physiological quality of the seeds. Cultivars behave differently within the same ploidy level.

Abstract This study evaluate the effect of drought and heat stress on the quality of C. spectabilis seeds. A completely randomized design in a 4×4 factorial scheme, referring to four osmotic potentials based on Polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000 = 0.0, -0.2, -0.4 and -0.8 MPa) and four temperatures (25, 30 and 35 ºC constant and alternating between 25-35 ºC), with four replications of 50 seeds per plot was used. The germination percentage, first count germination, germination speed index, average germination time, average germination speed, length and dry mass of the root, shoot and seedlings were evaluated. C. spectabilis is sensitive to drought stress during germination and seedling establishment, tolerating up to -0.2 MPa. The physiological quality of seeds is reduced with the decrease of osmotic potentials. The temperature range between 25 and 30 ºC are the one that provide better conditions for the germination of the seeds of this species.

RESUMO: Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze é uma espécie muito utilizada na medicina popular e que possui um elevado potencial aromático e terapêutico. No entanto, sua exploração em regiões semiáridas pode ser limitada em função do teor de sais na água de irrigação. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do ácido salicílico (AS) como mitigador do estresse salino sobre o crescimento e trocas gasosas de M. suaveolens. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial incompleto (Delineamento Composto Central), com cinco condutividades elétricas de água (CEa = 0,5, 1,45, 5,0, 8,55 e 10,0 dS m-1) e cinco doses de AS (0,0, 0,29, 1,0, 1,71 e 2,0 mM). Foram avaliados a altura de plantas, número de folhas, diâmetro do caule, área foliar, comprimento de raiz e relação altura/diâmetro do caule e trocas gasosas (condutância estomática, taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2, transpiração, eficiência instantânea e eficiência intrínseca no uso da água e de carboxilação e a temperatura foliar). A aplicação do AS na dose de 0,9 mM atenua o efeito do estresse salino sobre o número de folhas e área foliar. A aplicação de AS estimula o número de folhas e o crescimento em altura e da raiz, mas não afeta as trocas gasosas. A CEa reduz o crescimento e as trocas gasosas das plantas de M. suaveolens.

ABSTRACT: Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze is a species widely used in folk medicine and has a high aromatic and therapeutic potential. However, its cultivation in semi-arid regions can be limited by salts in the irrigation water. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) as a mitigator of saline stress on the growth and gas exchange of M. suaveolens. The experimental design used was the randomized blocks in an incomplete factorial scheme (Central Composite Design), with five electrical conductivities water (ECw = 0.5, 1.45, 5.0, 8.55, and 10.0 dS m-1) and five SA doses (0.0, 0.29, 1.0, 1.71, and 2.0 mM). Plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf area, root length, and height/diameter ratio, and gas exchange (stomatal conductance, net CO2 assimilation rate, transpiration rate, instantaneous, and intrinsic water use efficiency, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, and leaf temperature) were evaluated. The application of 0.9 mM SA attenuates the negative effect of saline stress on the number of leaves and leaf area of M. suaveolens. The application of SA stimulates the number of leaves, plant height, and root growth, but does not affect the gas exchange of M. suaveolens. ECw reduces the growth and gas exchange of M. suaveolens plants.

RESUMO A salinidade é um dos problemas que limitam o desenvolvimento das plantas, sendo as fases de germinação, crescimento e estabelecimento inicial as mais sensíveis ao estresse salino. Erythrina velutina, popularmente conhecida no Brasil como “mulungu”, é uma espécie nativa do bioma Caatinga, que cresce em condições de solo rico em sais. Os danos causados pela salinidade à qualidade de suas sementes e a utilização de técnicas que mitiguem esses efeitos são pouco conhecidos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o ácido salicílico como mitigador do estresse salino na qualidade fisiológica de sementes de mulungu. A qualidade de dois lotes de sementes de dois estados brasileiros (L1: Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, e L2: Pentencostes, Ceará) foi avaliada. O delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 (embebição de sementes com ácido salicílico (SA) - água destilada e 1,0 mM SA) × 4 (condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação - ECw - 0,0, 3,0, 6,0 e 9,0 dS m-1) com quatro repetições de 50 sementes cada foi usado. O estresse salino reduz a qualidade das sementes e mudas de mulungu. SA aumenta o vigor das sementes, promovendo melhorias na germinação em condições salinas.

ABSTRACT Salinity is one of the problems that limit plant development, with the germination, growth, and initial establishment stages being the most sensitive to saline stress. Erythrina velutina, popularly known as “mulungu” in Brazil, is a species native to the Caatinga biome, which grows in conditions of soil rich in salts. The damage caused by salinity to the quality of its seeds and the use of techniques that mitigate such effects are little known. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate salicylic acid as a mitigator of saline stress in the physiological quality of mulungu seeds. The quality of two seed lots from two Brazilian states (L1: Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, and L2: Pentencostes, Ceará) was evaluated. A completely randomized design in a 2 (seed soaking with salicylic acid (SA) - distilled water and 1.0 mM SA) × 4 (electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw - 0.0, 3.0, 6.0 and 9.0 dS m-1) factorial scheme with four replications of 50 seeds each was used. Saline stress reduces the quality of mulungu seeds and seedlings. SA increases the vigor of the seeds, promoting improvements in germination under saline conditions.

Abstract Moringa oleifera Lam., is a tree species that has several purposes of use, standing out in the recovery of degraded areas and the use of seeds as biodsorbents in water clarification. However, ony a little is known about the behavior of seed germination under saline conditions, common in soils and water in the Brazilian Northeast. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the increment of water during the soaking and seed germination of M. oleífera that were submitted to different electrical conductivity of the irrigation water. The work was developed following a completely randomized design, with stress simulation employing saline solutions at the concentrations of 0.0; 3.0; 6.0 and 9.0 dS m-1. To determine the soaking curve, the water increment of the soaked seeds in the different saline solutions was monitored at regular intervals with four replications per treatment. To characterize the physiological quality of the seeds, the percentage, first count, speed index, average time and average germination speed were evaluated. The M. oleífera is tolerant to the effect of salinity during the germination phase, however seed vigor is reduced as a function of increased salinity. Soaking the seeds makes begin the phase II of the germination process around 10 hours and extends for up to 50 hours, when phase III begins, they absorb approximately 0.2 g of water and require 86 hours for germination. Salinity reduces the absorption and increase of water in the seeds.

Resumo A determinação da área foliar é de fundamental importância em estudos ecofisiológicos que buscam entender a relação planta-ambiente. Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa determinar uma equação alométrica que permita estimar a área foliar de Mesosphaerum suaveolens a partir de medidas lineares do limbo foliar (comprimento e/ou largura). Coletaram-se 900 limbos foliares aleatórios de diferentes formas e tamanhos, em uma área de Caatinga antropizada, localizada no município de Santa Luzia, estado da Paraíba, nordeste do Brasil. Para a construção das equações alométricas utilizaram-se os seguintes modelos de regressão: linear, linear sem intercepto, quadrático, cúbico, potência e exponencial. O modelo linear sem intercepto utilizando o produto entre comprimento e largura (C.L) foi o mais indicado para estimar a área foliar de M. suaveolens, com maior coeficiente de determinação (R2) e índice de concordância de Willmott (d), menor erro absoluto médio (MAE), critério de informação de Akaike (AIC) e raiz do quadrado médio do erro (RQME), e índice BIAS mais próximo de zero (R2 = 0,9971; d = 0,9989; MAE = 0,422; AIC = 2094,69; RQME = 0,770; BIAS = -0,0105). A área foliar de M. suaveolens pode ser estimada satisfatoriamente pela equação AF = 0,6787*(C.L).

Abstract The determination of leaf area is of fundamental importance in ecophysiological studies that seek to understand the plant-environment relationship. The objective of this research was to determine an allometric equation to estimate the leaf area of Mesosphaerum suaveolens from linear measures of leaf blade (length and/or width). There were collected 900 random leaf limbs of different shapes and sizes, in an anthropic area of caatinga, located in the municipality of Santa Luzia, state of Paraíba, Northeast of Brazil. For the construction of the allometric equations the following regression models were used: linear, linear without intercept, quadratic, cubic, power, and exponential. The linear model without intercept using the product between length and width (C.L) was the most recommended to estimate the leaf area of M. suaveolens, with greater coefficient of determination (R2) and Willmott concordance index (d), lesser mean absolute error (MAE), Akaike information criterion (AIC) and root-mean-square error (RQME), and the closer the BIAS ratio is to zero (R2 = 0.9971; d = 0.9989; MAE = 0.422; AIC = 2094.69; RQME = 0.770; BIAS = -0.0105). The leaf area of M. suaveolens can be estimated satisfactorily by equation AF = 0.6787*(C.L).

RESUMO O gergelim é considerado uma cultura alternativa para pequenos e médios agricultores da região Nordeste. No entanto, nas condições do semiárido nordestino, a escassez de água de boa qualidade utilizada na irrigação pode refletir em redução na qualidade do produto final. Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de gergelim produzidas sob níveis de salinidade do solo. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5 × 5, com três repetições, correspondendo a cultivares de gergelim (BRS Seda, BRS G2, BRS G3, BRS G4 e BRS Anahi) e níveis de salinidade do solo com as seguintes condutividades elétricas: 0,6 dS m-1; 1,2 dS m-1; 1,8 dS m-1; 2,4 dS m-1; e 3,0 dS m-1. Para a caracterização da qualidade fisiológica, foram realizados testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, comprimento de radícula, condutividade elétrica das sementes, emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência e massa seca de plântulas. BRS Seda, BRS G2 e BRS G3, cultivadas sob níveis salinos, apresentam sementes com melhores qualidades fisiológicas, demonstrando maior tolerância a condições de estresse salino. BRS Seda e BRS G2 toleram níveis salinos de até 2,4 dS m-1, enquanto BRS G3 tolera até 1,8 dS m-1. BRS G4 e BRS Anahi têm a qualidade fisiológica de suas sementes comprometida com o aumento da salinidade do solo, durante sua produção.

ABSTRACT Sesame is considered an alternative crop for small and medium farmers in the Brazilian Northeast region. However, under the conditions of the northeastern semi-arid region, the scarcity of good quality water for irrigation may lead to a reduction in the quality of the final product. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of sesame seeds produced under levels of soil salinity. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, in a 5 × 5 factorial scheme, with three replicates, corresponding to sesame cultivars (BRS Seda, BRS G2, BRS G3, BRS G4 and BRS Anahi) and soil salinity levels with the following values for electrical conductivity: 0.6 dS m-1, 1.2 dS m-1, 1.8 dS m-1, 2.4 dS m-1 and 3.0 dS m-1. The physiological quality was characterized based on tests of germination, first germination count, germination speed index, radicle length, seed electrical conductivity, emergence, emergence speed index and seedling dry matter. BRS Seda, BRS G2 and BRS G3, cultivated under salinity levels, present seeds with a better physiological quality, demonstrating a higher tolerance to salt stress conditions. The BRS Seda and BRS G2 cultivars tolerate salinity levels of up to 2.4 dS m-1, while BRS G3 tolerates levels of up to 1.8 dS m-1. BRS G4 and BRS Anahi have the physiological quality of their seeds compromised by the increase in the soil salinity, during their production.

O melão pepino Cucumis melo var.Cantalupensis Naud é uma espécie crioula que apresenta alta adaptabilidade às condições edafoclimáticas do semiárido nordestino, servindo como fonte de renda e alimentar. Nesse contexto, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de melão pepino submetidas à irrigação com águas salinas de 0,012, 2, 4, 6 e 8 dS m-1, na percentagem de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, tempo médio para a germinação, percentagem de plântulas normais fortes, normais fracas e anormais, no comprimento da parte aérea, comprimento de raiz, comprimento de plântulas e massa da matéria seca das plântulas. A salinidade da água não interferiu no processo de germinação das sementes de melão pepino, inibiu o crescimento da raiz principal e o comprimento das plântulas irrigadas com águas de salinidade superior a 3,8 e 4,3 dS m-1, respectivamente, e, portanto, superiores ao máximo permitido de 3 dS m-1 na irrigação convencional à maioria das plantas cultivadas.

The Charentais cantaloupe melon Cucumis melo var.Cantalupensis Naud is a creole species that presents high adaptability to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Northeastern semiarid, representing a food and income source. In this context, the purpose hereof was to evaluate the physiological quality of Charentais cantaloupe melon seeds subjected to irrigation with salt waters of 0.012, 2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m-1 in the germination percentage, first germination counting, germination speed rate, average time for germination, percentage of regular strong, regular weak, and abnormal seedlings, in the aerial part length, root length, length of seedlings and seedlings dry matter. The water’s salinity did not interfere in the Charentais cantaloupe melon seed germination process, but inhibited the main root’s and length of irrigated with water salinity over 3.8 and 4.3 dS m-1, respectively, and therefore superior to the maximum allowed of 3 dS m-1 in the conventional irrigation of most of the cultivated plants.

RESUMO O uso do esterco avícola na produção de mudas é crescente. Porém, estudos com o efeito de diferentes granulometrias de esterco sobre o crescimento de plantas ainda são escassos. Objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento de Moringa oleifera Lam. adubada com doses de cama de frango (0 g dm-3; 40 g dm-3; 80 g dm-3; e 120 g dm-3) com diferentes granulometrias (1 mm e 4 mm), com quatro repetições. Avaliaram-se a altura de planta; diâmetro da raiz e do caule; massa da matéria seca da folha, do caule, da parte aérea e da raiz; relação massa da matéria seca da parte aérea/raiz; e o índice de qualidade de Dickson. A granulometria não influenciou nas variáveis estudadas, exceto para altura de planta. O diâmetro da raiz diminuiu com o aumento nas doses de cama de frango. O acúmulo de massa da matéria seca da parte aérea e da raiz sofreram incremento com o aumento das doses de cama de frango até 120 g dm-3. Verificou-se aumento linear do índice de qualidade de Dickson, em função dos dias e doses de cama de frango. Recomenda-se a dose de 80 g dm-3 de cama de frango para a adubação de plantas de M. oleifera, independentemente da granulometria utilizada.

ABSTRACT There is an increasing use of poultry litter in seedling production. However, studies regarding the effect of different particle-size litter on plant growth are still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the growth of Moringa oleifera Lam. fertilized with poultry litter doses (0 g dm-3, 40 g dm-3, 80 g dm-3 and 120 g dm-3) with distinct particle sizes (1 mm and 4 mm), with four replications. The following variables were evaluated: plant height; root and stem diameter; leaf, stem, shoot and root dry matter mass; shoot/root dry matter mass ratio; and the Dickson quality index. There was no influence of the particle size on the studied variables, except for plant height. The root diameter decreased with the increase of the poultry litter doses. The accumulation of dry matter mass from the shoot and root increased with the increase of poultry litter doses up to 120 g dm-3. A linear increase of the Dickson quality index, relatively to days and poultry litter doses, was observed. It is recommended to apply 80 g dm-3 of poultry litter to fertilize M. oleifera plants, independently of the granulometry used.