DOSES E MÉTODOS DE APLICAÇÃO DE BIOESTIMULANTE COMERCIAL NA EMERGÊNCIA DE PLÂNTULAS DE GERGELIM

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a crop of great economic and nutritional importance, whose productivity is directly related to seed quality and initial seedling establishment. In this context, the use of biostimulants based on plant growth-promoting bacteria has stood out as a sustainable alternative for increasing plant growth. This study aimed to evaluate different doses and application methods of a commercial biostimulant based on Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens on the emergence and initial growth of sesame seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized design, in a 3 × 5 factorial scheme (3 application methods and 5 doses), with four replications, totaling 60 experimental units. Variables such as emergence, number of leaves, seedling height, root length, emergence speed index, dry mass, and stem diameter were evaluated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and, when significant, regression analysis. Significant interaction was observed between doses and application methods for most of the variables analyzed. Application methods via seed treatment and foliar spraying provided greater results for seedling growth, while furrow application showed lesser results under certain conditions. It is concluded that the use of the biostimulant promotes positive effects on the initial growth of sesame seedlings, with the result depending on the dose and application method. The treatments that provided the greatest results were with the application of biostimulant to the seeds and foliar spraying.