Abstract
ABSTRACT Native legume trees are planted in agroforestry systems for their hardiness and symbiosis with soil bacteria of the genus rhizobium, efficient in N2 fixation. The enrichment of the substrate composition with fine charcoal for seedling production of these trees is interesting for increasing soil porosity, water retention and the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms. Experiments were carried out to analyze the effect of substrate enrichment with charcoal on the quality of Clitoria fairchildiana, Enterolobium schomburgkii and Inga edulis seedlings. The treatments consisted of a 3:2:0.5 (v:v) mixture of clay soil, sand and bovine manure and a 3:2 (v:v) mixture of clay soil and sand combined with charcoal rates of 0, 10, 19 and 29%. After mixing the components, substrate samples were collected and chemically analyzed. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 10 replications. The seedlings were inoculated with homologues rhizobia and growth controlled monthly. The plants were collected to determine the number of nodules and dry biomass of roots, shoots and nodules. Seedling growth was similar on substrates containing charcoal or manure, except for E. schomburkii, which increased by more than 100% on the charcoal-containing substrates. The number and dry biomass of nodules in the charcoal-containing substrates was up to 100% and 300% higher than in the manure-containing treatment, respectively. The results indicated that the substitution of manure by charcoal favors the seedling quality of the studied species.
Highlights
The production of high-quality seedlings is a prerequisite for the success of forest enterprises (CUNHA et al, 2006)
The treatments consisted of a 3:2:0.5 (v:v) mixture of clay soil, sand and bovine manure and a 3:2 (v:v) mixture of clay soil and sand combined with charcoal rates of 0, 10, 19 and 29%
The experimental data indicated the worst performance of orelha-de-macaco seedlings when grown in the 3:2:0.5 mixture of clay soil, sand and cattle manure (Se) (Table 3)
Summary
The production of high-quality seedlings is a prerequisite for the success of forest enterprises (CUNHA et al, 2006). A goal of forestry research is the establishment of quality indicators for the most important species. To this end, the Dickson Quality Index (DQI) (DICKSON et al, 1960) serves as a supports for a more holistic interpretation of the research results of seedling production, by condensing various quality indicators in a single index of easy interpretation. The higher the value of this index, the higher is the seedling quality (FONSECA et al, 2002). This index must be calculated for each species of interest
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