EFFECT OF STRAW MULCHING ON SOIL TEMPERATURE AND LETTUCE PRODUCTIVITY
Resumo
This study evaluated the effects of straw mulching on soil temperature and the productivity of two lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa L.) under a no-tillage system. The experiment was conducted in Três Passos, RS, Brazil, during the winter of 2024, using a randomized block design in a bifactorial arrangement. The variables analyzed included soil temperature, plant diameter, fresh mass, and dry mass. The results showed that straw mulching reduced soil thermal amplitude, providing a more stable environment for plant development. However, the presence of straw significantly reduced dry mass accumulation, possibly due to increased soil moisture retention. A significant effect was observed on the diameter of butterhead lettuce under straw mulch, whereas the crisphead cultivar showed no expressive variations. It is concluded that straw mulching represents a viable and sustainable alternative for lettuce cultivation, particularly in small-scale farming systems, by enhancing crop resilience to microclimatic fluctuations.