Growth and yield of broccoli on organic production system as a function of compost dosages

The use of organic compost on vegetable crops production results in complex and diverse effects. Although the research on organic vegetable production has been increasing, the effects of organic compost on the growth and yield of these crops are still poorly scientifically known. This work aimed to evaluate the growth and yield of broccoli grown on organic compost, besides determining the non-destructive parameter with higher correlation to dry mass accumulation. The experiment was carried out in Vicosa, MG (20 degrees 45' S 42 degrees 51' W). The experiment was set up in a randomized block design with four replicates in split-plot (time) design for growth parameters. The treatments consisted of doses of organic compost: 5, 10 15 20 and 25 t ha(-1) on a dry matter basis, supllied to hybrid "domador". The highest broccoli yield, 564 g plant(-1), corresponds to 12,53 t ha(-1), and was obtained with the 25 t ha(-1)compost dose. Canopy area presented the highest correlation with both commercial yield and dry mass accumulation and it is the best non-destructive parameter for growth evaluation. The initial period of higher dry mass accumulation varies according to the compost dose, So that the 25 t ha(-1) dose, this period was between 28 and 56 days after transplant. The highest relative growth rates happened between the second and fourth week after transplant.