Vasos agrícolas à base de biocompósitos de caroço de açaí (Euterpe Oleracea MART.) e Lithothamnium: avaliação do crescimento de mudas.

Abstract

The growing concern about plastic pollution and the search for sustainable alternatives motivated the development of biodegradable and bioerodible pots made from agro-industrial residues. This study aimed to produce and evaluate the agronomic performance of pots composed of açaí seeds (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and Lithothamnium calcareum. The experimental design was completely randomized, with three types of pots, two crops, and two additional factors: with and without fertilization. Initially, the raw materials were processed, followed by the formulation of the pots with different proportions and resistance tests, culminating in the cultivation of chives, and cherry tomatoes. The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance, followed by a paired t-test. A significant difference was observed (p ≤ 0.05) between the types of pots. The results showed that biodegradable pots favored the growth of chives and cherry tomatoes, especially in the absence of fertilizer, when compared to cement and gypsum pots. Therefore, biodegradable pots represent a viable sustainable alternative, with the potential to improve soil quality and agricultural productivity, contributing to more environmentally responsible practices