Production and quality of Caesalpinia pluviosa seedlings in different substrates

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different substrates on the production and quality of sibipiruna seedlings. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with six treatments and eight replications. The treatments tested were: (T1): 5% organic compounds + 80% soil + 15% sand; (T2): 10% or­ganic compounds + 75% soil + 15% sand; (T3): 15% organic compounds + 70% soil + 15% sand; (T4): 20% organic compounds + 65% soil + 15% sand; (T5): 100% commercial substrate (H. Decker®); (T6): 100% or­ganic compounds. To determine the effect of the substrates on the production of sibipiruna seedlings, the shoot height, stem diameter, root length, dry mass of roots, dry mass of shoots, total dry mass and Dickson quality index were evaluated. In general, T2 and T3 showed the best responses with respect to the characteristics analyzed, providing better quality seedlings. Through the Dickson quality index performed at 120 days after transplanting, it is possible to conclude that with the exception of T6, the sibipiruna seedlings present satisfac­tory levels of quality for commercialization and field planting, and the best results are found with the use of dif­ferent combined materials.