Performance of Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) and Major Gomes (Talinum paniculatum) under different planting times and densities

• Grant number: 24/00061-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Victor Augusto Forti
• Grantee: Gregory Granato
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Araras , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The use of unconventional food plants (PANC) in human nutrition promotes several nutritional benefits and enhances income diversification for the farmer. The cultivation of these plants, such as Chaya and Major Gomes, has been hampered by the difficulty of identifying the species, the lack of a marketing chain and the seasonality of production. In this way, understanding how planting time and density affect the performance of these plants promotes the development of these crops and the use of this social technology in agricultural production systems. Therefore, the objective of this project is to evaluate the performance of the species Talinum paniculatum spp. and Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, cultivated in spring and autumn in southeastern Brazil under different densities. To achieve this, an experiment will be conducted in randomized blocks, considering 3 spacings for Chaya (1x1m; 1.5x1m and 1.5x1.5m) and 3 spacings for Major Gomes (20x20cm, 25x25cm and 30x30 cm), planted in the spring and in the fall. During plant development, 3 analyzes will be carried out (40DAP - days after planting, 80 DAP and 120 DAP) for both crops. At each time of analysis, plant height, number of branches, stem diameter, phenological stage and health will be evaluated. Total productivity, dry matter mass of leaves and stem, crude protein, lipid and crude fiber content will be analyzed at harvest, at the end of the cycle. It is expected to understand the phytotechnical aspects of the production of both crops in order to enhance the use of this social technology in agricultural systems.