Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate different substrates to produce yellow passion fruit seedlings. For this purpose, an experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, from April to June 2016. A completely randomized design with five replications, in a 6 x 5 factorial scheme was used. The first factor was the alternative substrates (poultry, cattle and equine manure, sugarcane and coconut bagasse, and Organomais compost). The second factor was the replacement levels to the commercial substrate of Plantmax® (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100). The seedling evaluation was carried out 42 days after sowing. The following variables were analyzed: length, width, and the number of leaves; plant height and shoot dry matter. A significant effect (P<0.05) for the interaction between the factors was verified. The addition of 60% cattle manure and Organomais to the commercial substrate Plantmax® promoted greater length, width, and the number of leaves, plant height, and shoot dry matter accumulation in the yellow passion fruit seedlings.
Highlights
In 2017, Brazil produced around 700 thousand tons of passion fruit (Agrianual, 2018), which is the world's largest producer of passion fruit
According to Aguiar et al (2015), the Brazilian producers have a low average yield of passion fruit due to technical problems during the production process and the management that is not always suitable for the crop, which results in increased production costs
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different combinations of alternative substrates associated with a commercial substrate to produce yellow passion fruit seedlings
Summary
In 2017, Brazil produced around 700 thousand tons of passion fruit (Agrianual, 2018), which is the world's largest producer of passion fruit. Commercial substrates are used in the seedlings production of passion fruit, making this process more expensive and reducing the competitiveness of small producers. Several materials can be used as a substrate to produce fruit seedlings. Vermiculite, compost from urban garbage, manure, sugarcane bagasse, peanut husks, carbonized rice husks, pine husks, coconut bagasse, sawdust, among others as an alternative material for substrate (Lima et al, 2016; Brugnara et al, 2014; Oliveira et al, 2013). Seedling production is an essential step in the production process of passion fruit. Santos et al (2017b), studying the production and quality of yellow passion fruit from the seedlings of different ages, verified the use of seedlings aged from 100 to 125 days after emergence provided higher fruit production and quality
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