Emergence and initial growth of Hancornia speciosa (Gomes) seedlings with different substrates and water availability

Abstract

Hancornia speciosa is a promising fruit species due to the high protein content of its fruit. However, there is little information about its production, with a lack of information concerning the germination of its seeds and initial seedling growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate water availability and suitable substrates for its seedling emergence and production. The seeds were deposited in tubes, containing the following substrates: Distroferric Red Latosol (L); Latosol+Sand (L+A); Latosol+Bioplant® (L+B); Sand+Latosol+Poultry Litter in the following proportions 2:2:1 (L+A+C1) and 2:4:1 (L+A+C2) associated with water retention capacities of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The substrates L+A, L+B and L and a water availability of 75% to 100% are recommendable for seedling emergence and early seedling growth. Substrates that consisted of poultry litter and water availability of 25% and 50% were prejudicial to growth and quality of Hancornia speciosa seedlings.