USO DE ÁCIDOS HUMICOS E FULVICOS NO DESENVOLVIMENTO INICIAL DO MAMOEIRO

Abstract

The cultivation of papaya (Carica papaya L.) in the Cerrado faces limitations related to the low natural fertility of soils, high acidity, aluminum saturation, and reduced organic matter content, factors that compromise the initial growth of the crop. In this context, the use of organic conditioners based on humic and fulvic acids has proven to be a sustainable alternative to improve soil quality and stimulate plant development. This study evaluated the effects of different doses of a product based on humic and fulvic acids on the initial development of papaya cultivated in pots under Cerrado conditions. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD), in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme, with four evaluation times (15, 30, 45, and 60 days after transplanting), four doses (0; 1.25; 2.5; and 4.5 mL per pot), and three replications. The evaluated variables included plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, chlorophyll index, and shoot and root dry mass. The results indicated significant increases in height, diameter, number of leaves, and biomass accumulation in shoots and roots at doses of 2.5 and 4.5 mL per pot, while the chlorophyll index did not show statistical differences. It was concluded that the use of humic and fulvic substances favors the initial growth of papaya, highlighting the dose of 4.5 mL per pot as the most efficient, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable management strategy for the cultivation of papaya in the Cerrado.