Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the production of biomass of different cattle manure, and biofertilizer concentrations. The experiment was conducted between April and June 2014 in a greenhouse at the seedling production nursery of the State University of Paraíba (UEPB), Catolé do Rocha, Paraíba (PB) state. The experiment was completely randomized in a 5 x 2 factorial design corresponding to five levels of cattle manure (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80% of the substrate volume) in the absence, and the presence of a biofertilizer. The propagation material was giant yellow passion fruits with 95 to 100% of purity purchased in the local market. After 60 days, the following variables were evaluated: root dry matter (RDM), plant dry matter (PDM), root biomass (RB), shoot biomass (SB), plant biomass (PB), biomass percentage (BP), effective leaf area (ELA) and leaf area ratio (LAR). The interaction between cattle manure and fertilizer concentrations was significant for root dry matter, mass of total plant dry matter, root biomass, shoot biomass and total plant biomass. In turn, cattle manure affected significantly biomass percentage, effective leaf area and leaf area ratio. Cattle manure and biofertilizer make the production of yellow passion fruit seedlings feasible.

Key words: Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Degener., alternative sources, propagation, protected environment.