Desenvolvimento de couve manteiga (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) em sistema hidropônico “Wick System”

The production of vegetables using a wick irrigation system is an alternative for family farming, as it allows for lower labor costs and savings in water and electricity use. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the development of kale in a wick irrigation system with different dosages of hydroponic solution. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with 6 treatments at dosages of 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25% and a control treatment composed of artesian well water, with 12 replicates. The substrate composition used was cured cattle manure and carbonized rice straw in proportions of 50-50% by volume. Among the parameters evaluated, the following stand out: plant height (AP), number of leaves (NF) and leaf diameter (DF) in all treatments, as well as electrical conductivity values, due to weekly replacement of the solution. Among the results obtained (p<0.05) it is clear that the wick irrigation system proved to be viable, in treatments with doses of (100, 50 and 25)%, providing the best results for AP, NF and DF.