Cultivo de alface mimosa sobre diferentes materiais de cobertura de solo e sob agrotêxtil

This study aimed to evaluate the production characteristics of lettuce cultivars due to the use of different mulching materials and use of floating blanket over the plants. The experiment was conducted at the experimental station of the State University of West of Parana, campus Marechal Cândido Rondon - Parana. The design was a randomized block design with plots in sub-divided scheme, with four replications. The treatments were distributed in three factors. In the first factor were allocated the plant cover treatments with floating blanket (with and without blanket), the second factor (subplot) soil cover treatments (black polypropylene, tifton straw, rice husk and witness) and the third factor (sub-subplot) cultivars of mimosa lettuce (Oak Leaf Red Pixie and Oak Leaf Green Pixie). The variables analyzed were: height and diameter of the plant canopy, fresh mass of leaves and head, number of leaves, leaf area, dry mass of leaves and stem, total dry mass, and was calculated productivity. The soil cover with black polypropylene improved production characteristics of lettuce, since the treatment excelled in all variables. Cultivar Oak Leaf Green Pixie was superior to Oak Leaf Red Pixie in all characteristics evaluated, except plant height. Regarding the use of floating blanket advantages were observed in the agro-climatic conditions in which the experiment was conducted