Growth of papaya seedlings on substrate consisting of poultry litter biochar

The choice of a substrate that meets the nutritional and physical demands of papaya seedlings with the use of organic wastes is directly linked to increases in crop yield and is an important environmental and economic alternative. Aiming to produce good-quality papaya seedlings while considering the composition and availability of substrates, this study examined the influence of applying increasing rates of poultry litter biochar as a substrate component in the production of papaya seedlings. The study was developed in a protected environment belonging to the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with a 6 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of six rates of biochar (4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 t ha-1 and the control) and two papaya cultivars (Formosa and Ouro), with four replicates. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and leaf area were evaluated 90 days after sowing. The fresh and dry biomass of shoots and root system and the Dickson Quality Index were also evaluated. In conclusion, the rates that provided good development of papaya seedlings were 8 and 16 t ha-1, and papaya cultivar Ouro showed better growth results.

Use of effective microorganisms with phytoprotective ceramics in the initial growth of Theobroma cacao L.

The research was conducted in the nursery of the National Intercultural University of Amazonia, whose objective was to use effective microorganisms with plant protection ceramics in the initial growth of Theobroma cacao, "common cocoa". The experiment was conducted through a completely randomized design (DCA), with 5 treatments, 10 repetitions and 50 experimental units. The treatments were: T1 (Control); T2 (100 ml of efficient microorganisms (EM) + 20 g of phytoprotective ceramic (CF)); T3 (200 ml of MS + 20 g of CF); T4 (300 ml of EM + 20 g of CF) and T5 (400 ml of EM + 20 g of CF). As a result, the T3 treatment obtained better growth value in height, diameter and specific leaf area with: 25.56 cm, 6.86 mm and 90.77 cm2 / g respectively, compared to the control that reached 19.98 cm. 5.49 mm. 49.32. Regarding the quality indexes, the ratio of aerial dry biomass / dry root biomass (R BSA / RBSR), lignification index (IL), robustness index (IR) and Dickson quality index (DQI), did not show significant differences between the treatments, but the T3 had higher value over the IR with 3.76, the R BSA / RBSR with 2.45 and DQI with 0.85, and the T4 had greater value in the IL with 33.68.

Quality of Coffea arabica seedlings produced in different nurseries in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil

Obtaining high-quality seedlings is a step of fundamental importance for the successful implementation of a coffee crop, which can be measured by evaluating seedling morphological and quality parameters. This study examines the quality of coffee seedlings produced in nurseries in the municipalities of Inconfidentes, Ouro Fino, and Jacutinga, southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in nurseries here termed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, from 05/28/2017 to 02/28/2018. The experiment was developed in an 8 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of 8 seedling nurseries and 2 cultivars (Catuaí strains IAC 62 and 144) evaluated in 3 replicates containing 8 seedlings each. The following traits were evaluated: leaf area (LA), total dry matter (TDM), shoot: root ratio (S: R), plant height: stem diameter ratio (HDR), and Dickson quality index (DQI). Data were subjected to combined analysis and, after significant differences were detected (p<0.05), the Scott-Knott test of means was applied. The management adopted in the nurseries influenced the development of the evaluated cultivars. Seedlings from nursery 5, of both evaluated cultivars; and from nursery 8, of cultivar IAC 144, exhibited a DQI above 0.2, indicating superior quality. Only nursery 5 showed seedlings of adequate quality for both cultivars. Regardless of their location, the other coffee-seedling nurseries still did not produce seedlings of satisfactory quality to be taken to the field.

Análise da emergência e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de Handroanthus roseo-albus (Ridl.) Mattos e Handroanthus serratifolius (Vahl) S.O.Grose sobre diferentes tipos de substratos

<p class="Normal1"><span class="fontstyle0">The formation of quality forest seedlings has a direct relationship with the substrates that will be used; the germination of seeds and the formation of the root system and the aerial part are associated with the particular characteristics of each substrate. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the influence of different substrates on the formation of ipê-branco and ipê-amarelo seedlings. The experimental design adopted was completely random, with the treatments distributed in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement (2 species and 5 substrates), with 4 replications. We used the following components to compose the substrates: carbonized rice husks (CAC), fresh rice husks (CA), autoclaved for two hours at 120 °C, commercial substrate (SC) Bioflora, washed sand (AL), and bovine manure (EB). The study was arranged in five treatments: treatment 1 - CAC, treatment 2 - CA, treatment 3 - SC, treatment 4 - AL and treatment 5 - EB. The following morphological characteristics have been evaluated: Collection diameter, height of the seedlings and the Dickson Quality Index (DQI) of the seedlings, which was obtained through the variables: weight of total dry matter (TWMW), weight of dry matter of the aerial part (TWMW), weight of dry matter of the root (RWMW), H and DC. The emergence speed and the emergence percentage index were lower for both species in the treatment containing 100% in natura rice husk. The commercial substrate Bioflora, enabled good performance in the emergence of both species, obtaining satisfactory results in terms of the percentage rate of emergence and a higher speed of emergence between treatments. The bovine manure substrate obtained superior results in the initial development for both Handroanthus serratifolius (Vahl) S.O.Grose and Handroanthus roseo-albus (Ridl.) Mattos.</span><br /><br /></p>

Comparison between cattle manure, organic compost, and vermicompost in the production of Eucalyptus urograndis seedlings

ABSTRACT: Composting and vermicomposting before addition to the soil is a viable alternative to the disposal of cattle manure. However, this residue has been used in the untreated form for seedling production. This study evaluated the use of cattle manure in natura, and the organic composted or vermicomposted variants of cattle manure on substrates used in the production of Eucalyptus urograndis seedlings. The treatments consisted of substrates formulated by mixing the organic fertilizers with washed sand in 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 (v/v) percentages, compared to a commercial substrate. The E. urograndis seedlings were grown in tubes in a greenhouse and evaluated after 120 days for shoot and root dry weights, plant height, stem diameter, shoot/root ratio, and Dickson quality index. The substrate formulated from a mixture of 80% (v/v) of cattle manure in natura and washed sand allows for better development in Eucalyptus seedlings. Substrate containing 100% bovine manure vermicompost or organic compost produced seedlings with lower quality than in natura bovine manure but superior to the commercial substrate. Due to the health risks associated with use of untreated bovine manure, organic compost and vermicompost are good alternatives for the production of E. urograndis seedlings.

USE OF NANOCOMPOSITE HYDROGEL WITH N-UREA IN THE PRODUCTION OF EGGPLANT SEEDLINGS

The use of quality seedlings of eggplant is directly related to the success of their production, with polymers added to the substrate, which work as water conditioners, increase the water retention capacity, and provide better seedling quality. The study aimed to evaluate the use of nanocomposite hydrogel enriched with different proportions of N-urea in the production of eggplant seedlings. The experiment was conducted at the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, MS, Brazil, from June to August 2019, under sombrite® 30%. Five treatments were evaluated, using the commercial substrate, Carolina Soil®: 1) commercial substrate without hydrogel; 2) commercial substrate with 0.075g of pure hydrogel (0.00g of N-urea)/15 mL of a substrate; 3) commercial substrate with 0.075g of hydrogel and 10% N-urea/15 mL of a substrate; 4) commercial substrate with 0.075g of hydrogel and 20% N-urea/15 mL of a substrate, and 5) commercial substrate with 0.075g of hydrogel and 40% N-urea/15 mL of a substrate. The experiment was conducted with four replications of 25 seedlings. The emergence speed index, percentage of emergence, height, number of leaves, stem diameter, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, and total dry matter were evaluated, as well as the Dickson Quality Index. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (SPEEDSTAT statistical software) and grouping test of means. A regression analysis was performed to adjust equations for some of the variables. The best seedlings can be obtained using the dosage of 28.83% N-urea with 0.075g of hydrogel per 15 ml of the substrate, according to the DQI adjustment, which includes several traits of the seedlings, thus reflecting on its quality.

QUALITY OF CAMBUCI PEPPER SEEDLINGS IN RESPONSE TO THE APPLICATION OF NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS

One of the main stages in the production system of a crop is the production of quality seedlings since it influences the plants' final performance in the field and their production. The study aimed to evaluate different nutrient solutions in the production of Cambuci pepper seedlings. The design used was a complete randomized design, with six treatments corresponding to the nutrient solutions proposed for the pepper crop by Castellane and Araújo, Claudio Roberto, Hoagland, and Arnon, besides the commercial products Plenan® and Biobokashi®, and a control treatment without fertilization, with six replications. The final evaluation was carried out 45 days after sowing. The following variables were analyzed: stem diameter, plant height, leaf dry matter, shoot dry matter, the number of leaves, relative chlorophyll index ("Spad"), and Dickson quality index. The seedlings subjected to the applications of Claudio Roberto and Hoagland and Arnon solutions have the highest heights and number of leaves, the largest stem diameter, shoot dry matter, leaf area, and Dickson quality index with 2.60 and 2.51 mm, 0.54 and 0.62 g, 38.64 and 41.91 cm2, and 0.107; 0.097, respectively. The Hoagland and Arnon nutrient solution provided the best characteristics to produce Cambuci pepper seedlings.

DEVELOPMENT OF Tabebuia aurea AND Anadenanthera macrocarpa UNDER DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SHADING

The efficiency in the initial growth of trees can be related to the ability of the seedlings in adapting to different light intensites in the enviroment. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different levels of shading in the initial growth of Tabebuia aurea and Angico (Anadenanthera macrocarpa) in the nursery phase. The experiment was conducted at the Federal Rural University of Semiárido located in Mossoró-RN. The seeds of A. macrocarpa and T. aurea were collected from parent trees and donated by the Caatinga/ UFERSA / Petrobras Project, where, afterwards, they were processed. The composting used in the experiment was coconut fiber, after the substrate was placed in 55-cm³ tubes and organized in plastic supports. The seedlings were submitted to three levels of shade, full sun (absence of shade), shade of 50% and 80%. For the different levels of shading, mean values of the height/diameter ratio of the neck were obtained of 3.74 (A. macrocarpa) and 1.57 (T. aurea) for cultivation in full sun, 0% of shading, indicating that the growth of this cropt may have better results under these conditions. The highest values of the Dickson Quality Index (DQI) were observed in seedlings grown under a lower shade level of 0.03454 and 0.11719. The species T. aurea shows little tolerance when subjected to high levels of shading, showing that the luminosity interfere in the initial growth of the species. A. macrocarpa, also acquired a better development in full sun, showing less progress at higher levels of shading.

Agricultural residues as substrates in the production of formosa papaya, okra and zucchini seedlings

Using residues generated in agriculture to produce seedlingsis an economically interesting alternative, besides being a way to reduce the environmental impacts caused by their inadequate disposal. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of using coffee chaff (CC) and organic compost (OC) as substrate components for the production of Formosa papaya seedlings and the potential of grape pomace (GP), a vitiviniculture residue, in the composition of substrates for the production of okra and zucchini seedlings. We carried out two trials in a completely randomized design (CRD): the first had seven treatments and six replicates: T0: 100% commercial substrate Bioplant® (CS); from T1 to T6: increasing proportions of CC and decreasing of CC: 10/90; 20/80; 30/70; 40/60; 50/50 e 60/40%. The second had six treatments and six replicates, with increasing proportions of GP and decreasing proportions of CS: 0/100; 10/90; 20/80; 30/70; 40/60 and 50/50%.In the first trial we evaluated the number of leaves, root length, seedling height, stem diameter, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, total dry mass and Dickson Quality Index (DQI) at 59 days after sowing.The second trialwas performed at 12 and 18 DAS and we analyzed the number of leaves, plant height, root length, collar diameter, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, total dry mass and Dickson Quality Index (DQI). Variables that met the assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity were subjected to Dunnett’s test. The substrate composed of coffee chaff and organic compost has a high potential to be used as an alternative substrate due to promote better quality of papaya seedlings compared to the commercial substrate. Alternative substrate containing 60% coffee chaff and 40% organic compost is recommended for the production of Formosa papaya seedlings in tubes. The grape pomace (GP) has a high potential to be used as component in substrate for the production of okra and zucchini seedlings compared to the commercial substrate (CS) only. Alternative substrate composed of 50% GP and 50% CS is recommended for the production of zucchini seedlings, while substrate composed of 10% GP and 90% CS is recommended for the production of okra seedlings.

Resposta de Handroanthus heptaphyllus Mattos em diferentes volumes de substrato e adubação de base.

Handroanthus heptaphyllus (Martius) Mattos response in different volumes of substrate and base fertilization. The native forest species require the adoption of appropriate practices in the nursery, such as the definition of the container volume and base fertilizer, to develop seedlings at lower cost. Thus, this study aimed to verify the performance of Handroanthus heptaphyllus seedlings grown in nurseries in different sizes of containers and different dosage of controlled release fertilizer (CRF). There was interaction between the volume of container and the fertilization for the height (H), stem diameter (SD), and H/SD relation. The shoot dry mass variable (SDM), root dry mass (RDM), total dry mass (TDM), SDM/RDM relation, Dickson quality index (DCI) and leaf area (LA) were influenced only by the base fertilizer. The highest values for these variables were, respectively, 15.68 cm; 6.55 mm, 2.58 cm mm-1; 2.05 g; 2.03 g; 3.84 g; 1.46; 1.15 and 246.97 cm². The H. heptaphyllus species is nutritionally demanding, positively responding to the high dose of CRF. Seedlings of H. heptaphyllus produced in tubes of 180 cm³ with 7.0 g L-1 of CRF present adequate growth.