The reversion of hardening process and hydrogel use in a 4 forest species plantation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydrogel on the number of irrigation, initial growth and survival of hardened seedlings and seedlings which the hardened condition was reverted, called hereafter by unhardened seedlings. The seedlings (Psidium guajava, Anadenanthera colubrina, Inga vera, and Lonchocarpus cultratus) were planted on the field, with or without hydrogel in the planting hole. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks, arranged in a factorial scheme of 4 x 2 x 2 (four forest species; two conditions of the seedlings – hardened and unhardened; and two planting conditions - with or without hydrogel). After planting, a treatment was irrigated when most of the plants in that treatment had symptoms of temporary wilting. The parameters evaluated were the number of irrigations performed, stem diameter growth, and seedling survival. It was concluded that the addition of hydrogel and the unhardening process in the planting hole helped in reducing the number of irrigations required.