Desempenho agronômico de cultivares de beterraba cultivadas no verão em sistema orgânico

Abstract

The beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a vegetable crop of great importance in Brazil and in the world. However, its production in tropical climate regions is limited mainly in the summer time. Thus, the use of suitable cultivars becomes essential for the production of the crop in these regions, especially when cultivation takes place in the hottest time of the year and in an organic system. The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth and productivity of beet cultivars, in an organic system in a tropical climate region, in the summer season. The study was carried out between December 2020 and February 2021 in the experimental area of the Federal University of Ceará, in Fortaleza-CE. Six beet cultivars were evaluated (Itapuã 202, Early Wonder 2000, Tall Top Early Wonder, Fortuna, Maravilha e Rubra). A randomized block design with four replications was used. Plant height (AP), number of leaves (NF), leaf area index (IAF), shoot fresh and dry mass (MFPA and MSPA), tuberous root dry mass (MSR), harvest index (IC), diameter and average weight of tuberous roots (DMR and PMR), and commercial, non-commercial and total yields of tuberous roots (PCR, PNCR and PTR). In general, the cultivars Fortuna and Rubra showed low performance both in terms of growth and productivity (PCR of 4.11 and 4.97 t ha-1, respectively). On the other hand, better performance was observed for the cultivars Itapuã 202, Tall Top Early Wonder, Early Wonder 2000 and Maravilha. Among all the cultivars evaluated, Early Wonder 2000 stands out, which showed a PCR of 18.51 t ha-1.