Development of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis L.) grown in soil amended with different limestone sources

Acid soils need to be corrected through the application of limestone; in this context, the use of mussel shell ash constitutes an ecologically viable alternative. The study was conducted to evaluate the initial development of passion fruit grown in soil amended with limestone and golden mussel shell ash. The experiment was carried out at the Educational Foundation of Andradina, located in Andradina, São Paulo. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2x3 factorial scheme, where the first factor was composed of correctives: limestone and golden mussel shell ash, interacted with half, one, and four times the recommended dose of dolomitic limestone, plus one group control with no concealer, carrying out seven treatments with four repetitions, totaling 28 repetitions in plastic pots. The pyrolysis process was effective in producing golden mussel shell ash. The use of golden mussel shell ash can replace dolomitic limestone to increase soil pH. The recommended use of approximately 6.0 tons ha-1 of golden mussel shell ash is to provide suitable conditions for passion fruit cultivation. Further studies are recommended to understand the response of plants and soil to the use of alternative fertilizer sources.