Influencia del Metalosato de calcio sobre las características agronómicas y el rendimiento del brócoli (Brassica oleracea L.) Var. Avenger

Abstract

Broccoli cultivation is produced under intensive management systems in Ecuador and has been one of the agricultural products dedicated to export for about 30 years. The objective of this work was to determine the influence of calcium metalosate on the agronomic characteristics and the commercial yield of broccoli in the Poaló, canton Latacunga, province of Cotopaxi. The research was carried out in the open field with a quantitative approach of the experimental type. A randomized complete block design with a 3 x 3 + 1 factorial arrangement with 3 replications was used. Three doses of metalosate and three frequencies of application were analyzed. The following variables were evaluated: weight of the pellet, equatorial diameter of the pellet, calcium content (%), index of compaction of the pellet, diameter of the stem, formation of the dome, days to harvest, dry matter content of the leaves and calcium content in the leaves. According to the results obtained, there were no statistically significant differences on the weight of the pellet, the equatorial diameter of the pella of B. oleracea Var. Avenger (40 days after transplant). When calcium metalosate was used at 0.5 cc/L every 10 days, the greatest hardness or compaction of the pellet was achieved. With the exception of the doses of 0.5 cc/L every 10 and every 30 days, as well as the control, the rest of the treatment used increased the stem diameter values. Treatments T1, T3, T4, T6, T7, T8 and T9 had a better formation of the dome of B. oleracea Var. avenger. In the plants that were not applied calcium metalosate, the formation of the dome was compromised. In treatments T1, T2, T4, T5 and T9, the days to harvest were significantly reduced. At 79 days after transplantation, the highest dry matter content of the leaves was observed in the plants that did not receive calcium metalosate applications. However, the highest calcium content in the leaves was obtained when 1 ml.L-1 of calcium metallosate was applied every 15 days. With the foliar application of calcium metalosates, it was possible to improve the agronomic quality of broccoli, which is an aspect of great importance to reduce deformities, lack of weight and improve the compaction of B. oleracea Var. Avenger.