Evaluation of brazilian boldo under different growing conditions

Abstract

Plectranthus barbatus Andrews is known as brazilian boldo and stands out among the species
of great use and cultivation in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the brazilian
boldo production cultivated in different locations in the Paraíba interior, in order to analyze the
structural quality of vegetative aerial parts under different growing conditions. The samples
were obtained in different localities from the Paraiba interior, which represented the cultivation
conditions: organic with management, organic without management, urban and conventional
area. In addition to the characterization of production system, were evaluated: shoot length;
stem diameter; length, width and thickness of the leaf blade; thickness of stem and leaf epidermis;
and diameter of the leaf vascular bundle. The organic production of brazilian boldo
provides greater shoot development and reduction of leaf thickness, resulting in improved light
uptake and increased photosynthetic rate.