1057647/ijrowa.2026.1504.31

Physiological Aspects, Growth, and Leaf Nutrient Contents of Sweet Potato under Organic Management

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  • Micaela Benigna Pereira*1,
  • Reynaldo Teodoro De Fatima1,
  • Jean Télvio Andrade Ferreira2,
  • Jackson Silva Nobrega3,
  • Walter Esfrain Pereira4,
  • Manoel Bandeira Albuquerque4,
  1. Federal University of Campina Grande, Pombal- PB, Brazil
  2. Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas-BA, Brazil
  3. Federal University of Western Pará, Rurópolis-PA, Brazil
  4. Federal University of Paraiba, Areia-PB, Brazil.

Received: 2025-04-07

Revised: 2025-09-03

Accepted: 2026-02-01

Published Online: 2026-06-30

Copyright (c) 2026 Micaela Benigna Pereira, Reynaldo Teodoro De Fatima, Jean Télvio Andrade Ferreira, Jackson Silva Nobrega, Walter Esfrain Pereira, Manoel Bandeira Albuquerque (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Pereira, M. B., De Fatima, R. T., Ferreira, J. T. A., Nobrega, J. S., Pereira, W. E., & Albuquerque, M. B. (2026). Physiological Aspects, Growth, and Leaf Nutrient Contents of Sweet Potato under Organic Management. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture. https://doi.org/1057647/ijrowa.2026.1504.31
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Abstract

Purpose: The use of mulch and organic fertilizer in semi-arid regions are ecological practices capable of promoting production and reducing pressure on agricultural production systems. The objective was to evaluate the biomass production and physiological and nutritional aspects of sweet potatoes under mulch and organic fertilization in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

Method: The experimental design was in randomized blocks, in an incomplete factorial arrangement 5 × 5 + 2 corresponding to the levels of cattle manure (CM) (0.0, 8.72, 30, 51.28, and 60 t ha-1) and mulching (M) (0.0, 287.73, 989.50, 1691.27, and 1979.0 g m-2), and two additional treatments (I- control; II- fertilization with NPK 40-70-90 kg ha-1), with treatments obtained by the Box-Wilson Central Composite Design.

Results: Based on the results obtained, it is possible to affirm that the adoption of organic management in the sweet potato production system, with techniques such as cattle manure incorporation and mulching, is feasible from the perspective sustainable for producers in the semi-arid region of Brazil.

Conclusion: Fertilization with cattle manure and mulch increased the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, the number of leaves, the length and diameter of the main stem, the leaf area, the fresh and dry biomass of the aerial part and the N content in potato leaves sweet. The best plant performance was provided by the interaction between CM (28.4 to 60.0 t ha-1) and M (1979.0 g m-2). The joint application of CM and M was more efficient than mineral fertilizer with NPK.

Highlights

·        Organic fertilization with cattle manure and mulch increases biomass production.

·        Organic management increases chlorophyll synthesis in sweet potato crops.

·        Mulch and cattle manure promote main stem growth.

·        Organic sweet potato management outperforms mineral fertilization with NPK.

·       Sustainable technologies for sweet potato cultivation in the semiarid region.

Keywords

  • Cattle manure,
  • Ipomea batatas,
  • Mulching,
  • Organic fertilization,
  • Sustainable technologies
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