Desenvolvimento de mudas de manjericão (Ocimum basilicum L. ) em função do recipiente e do tipo e densidade de substratos / Development of basil seedlings(Ocimum basilicum L. ) in different density and type of substrates and trays

Uma das etapas mais importantes na produção do manjericão é o desenvolvimento das mudas. Nesta etapa, o cuidado com o recipiente e o substrato é essencial, pois afetam diretamente o crescimento e a arquitetura do sistema radicular, bem como, o fornecimento de nutrientes. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desenvolvimento de mudas de manjericão (Ocimum basilicum L.) influenciadas pelo tipo e densidade de diferentes substratos, cultivadas em bandejas de poliestireno com diferentes números de células. O experimento foi conduzido na área de Jardinocultura da Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD) em Dourados - MS. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados com cinco repetições, sendo os tratamentos dispostos em esquema fatorial 3x3x5, sendo três tipos de bandejas de poliestireno expandido com 72, 128 e 200 células com volumes internos de 124,3; 44,8 e 17,7 mL, respectivamente. Três tipos de substratos comerciais (PlantMax Florestais®; Tropstrato Vida Verde® e PlantMax Hortaliças HA®), e cinco densidades de substratos (0,36; 0,42; 0,48; 0,54 e 0,60 kg dm-3). Decorridos 78 dias após a emergência das plantas avaliou-se alturas das plantas, massa fresca e seca da parte aérea e sistema radicular, e comprimento de raízes. A produção de mudas comerciais de manjericão (Ocimum basilicum L.) foi melhor com o uso do substrato Tropstrato Vida Verde® na bandeja de 72 células associado com a densidade de 0,47 kg dm-3.

One of the most important stages in the production of basil is the development of seedlings. In this step, care with the container and the substrate is essential, because it directly affects the root growth and architecture, as well as the supply of nutrients. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the development of basil seedlings (Ocimum basilicum L.) influenced by the type and density of different substrates, grown in polystyrene trays with different cell numbers. The experiment was conducted at the Gardening area of the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD) inDourados-MS, Brazil.The experimental design was a randomized block with fivereplications, with treatments arranged in a 3x3x5 factorial design, with three types of polystyrene trays with 72, 128 and 200 cells, with internal volumes of 124.3; 44.8 and 17.7 mL, respectively. We used three types of substrates (PlantMax Florestais®; Tropstrato Vida Verde®and PlantMax Hortaliças HA®) and five densities of substrate (0.36, 0.42, 0.48, 0.54 and 0.60 kg dm-3). After 78 days of plant emergence, we evaluatedthem regarding: plant height, fresh and dry shoot and root, and root length. The commercial production of basil seedlings was improved with the use of the substrate Tropstrato Vida Verde® in a 72 cell tray associated with the density of 0.47 kg dm-3.

Effect of frequency of static stretching on flexibility, hamstring tightness and electromyographic activity

We compared the effect of the number of weekly repetitions of a static stretching program on the flexibility, hamstring tightness and electromyographic activity of the hamstring and of the triceps surae muscles. Thirty-one healthy subjects with hamstring tightness, defined as the inability to perform total knee extension, and shortened triceps surae, defined by a tibiotarsal angle wider than 90° during trunk flexion, were divided into three groups: G1 performed the stretching exercises once a week; G2, three times a week, and G3, five times a week. The parameters were determined before and after the stretching program. Flexibility improved in all groups after intervention, from 7.65 ± 10.38 to 3.67 ± 12.08 in G1, from 10.73 ± 12.07 to 0.77 ± 10.45 in G2, and from 14.20 ± 10.75 to 6.85 ± 12.19 cm in G3 (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). The increase in flexibility was higher in G2 than in G1 (P = 0.018), while G2 and G3 showed no significant difference (G1: 4 ± 2.17, G2: 10 ± 5.27; G3: 7.5 ± 4.77 cm). Hamstring tightness improved in all groups, from 37.90 ± 6.44 to 29 ± 11.65 in G1, from 39.82 ± 9.63 to 21.91 ± 8.40 in G2, and from 37.20 ± 6.63 to 26.10 ± 5.72° in G3 (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). During stretching, a statistically significant difference was observed in electromyographic activity of biceps femoris muscle between G1 and G3 (P = 0.048) and G2 and G3 (P = 0.0009). No significant differences were found in electromyographic activity during maximal isometric contraction. Stretching exercises performed three times a week were sufficient to improve flexibility and range of motion compared to subjects exercising once a week, with results similar to those of subjects who exercised five times a week.