Seedlings of tree species produced in substrates based on organic composts

Abstract

The quality of the seedling produced is directly related to substrate composition, so it is essential to select constituents with adequate characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate Eucalyptus urophylla, Peltophorum dubium and Eremanthus erythropappus seedlings and to relate the physical and chemical characteristics of the formulated substrates to their quality. For each species, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD), consisting of five treatments, five replicates, and plots composed of 20 seedlings. In order to evaluate the quality of the seedlings, the biometric variables were measured and, as a qualitative analysis, the ease to remove the seedlings from the tubes (ERT) and root aggregation to the substrate (AGGR) were evaluated. Seedlings produced in the substrates formulated with alternative constituents showed higher values when compared to seedlings produced with commercial substrate, for most of the analyzed variables. Coffee husk can be applied in the production of seedlings of P. dubium and E. urophylla. For the formation of E. erythropappus seedlings, none of the formulations tested are recommended.