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

Daniel Pazzini Eckhardt,Eduardo Lorensi De Souza,Rodrigo Josemar Seminoti Jacques,Jorge Domínguez Martin,Zaida Inês Antoniolli,Natielo Almeida Santana,Paulo Ademar Avelar Ferreira

doi:10.1590/0103-8478cr20200600

Daniel Pazzini Eckhardt, Eduardo Lorensi De Souza + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20200600

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Abstract

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.

Highlights

One of the major factors influencing forestry productivity is seedling quality, which requires suitable substrates (LIMA FILHO et al, 2019)
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 cattle manure yielded a greater shoot and root mass production in Eucalyptus seedlings compared to the other treatments, in all percentages except 100%, where the plants did not survive (Figures 1A and 1B)

Summary

Introduction

One of the major factors influencing forestry productivity is seedling quality, which requires suitable substrates (LIMA FILHO et al, 2019). A suitable substrate must provide plants with a balanced supply of water, nutrients, and oxygen; present chemical, physical and biological conditions that allow the plant to be sustained; have an appropriate pH; be pathogen, and weed free (SILVA et al, 2017a) Another important aspect when selecting a substrate is the cost of acquisition (FERMINO et al, 2018); the large amounts used in the nursery are responsible for the main expenditure in seedling production (ABREU et al, 2019). Carrying out composting or vermicomposting requires labour, technical knowledge, adequate facilities, and time (ECHKARDT et al, 2016) For this reason, cattle manure in natura is used as a fertilizer without prior treatment, in the production of forest seedlings (LISBOA et al, 2018). 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

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