English

Sehnen Mota Clenilso,Dornelles Paulo,Das Gracas Santana Joao,Guimaraes Silva Fabiano,Da Costa Severiano Eduardo,Da Silva Sousa Jaqueline

doi:10.5897/ajar2014.9439

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate growth characteristics, nutrition and seedling quality of guapeva produced on different substrates. The substrates used here included MecPlant®+rice husk (RH), fine vermiculite+subsoil+decomposed corn silage (FV+SB+DCS), and subsoil coarse sand composted cattle manure (SB+CS+CCM) at the ratios 7:3, 3:1:6, and 2:2:1, respectively, and FV+SB+RH at ratios 2:2:1 and 1:1:1; proportions are expressed on a volume basis. The following evaluations were performed 130 days after sowing: percentage of emerged seedlings; emergence speed index; stem length (SL), root collar diameter (RCD), number of leaves (NL), leaf area (LA), dry weight of the roots, stems and leaves and the whole plant; macro- and micronutrients in the leaves; ratios of SL and RCD (SL/RCD), SL and NL (SL/NL). A higher percentage of plants emerged and with greater vigor on the substrate MP+RH compared to SB+CS+CCM. The NL, LA, leaf dry weight and total plant dry weight were greater on the substrates that had DCS or CCM in their composition, but the other biometric characteristics were not affected by the different substrates. Substrates that had CCM or DCS also had the highest leaf concentrations of P, Ca, Mg, S and B. The foliar concentration of Mn was highest on the MP+RH substrate. The SL/RCD ratio was higher in the seedlings grown in substrates that included DCS and CCM in their composition, but these components yielded a lower R/S ratio. Overall, substrates with CCM and DCS favored guapeva seedling growth. Key words: Pouteria gardneriana (A. DC.) Radlk., quality of seedlings, plant nutrition.

Highlights

The fruits of Cerrado (Brazilian savannah) fruit tree species have unique flavors and are characterized as exotic fruits
The substrates used here included MecPlant®+rice husk (RH), fine vermiculite+subsoil+decomposed corn silage (FV+SB+DCS), and subsoil coarse sand composted cattle manure (SB+CS+CCM) at the ratios 7:3, 3:1:6, and 2:2:1, respectively, and FV+SB+RH at ratios 2:2:1 and 1:1:1; proportions are expressed on a volume basis
The number of leaves (NL), leaf area (LA), leaf dry weight and total plant dry weight were greater on the substrates that had DCS or CCM in their composition, but the other biometric characteristics were not affected by the different substrates

Summary

Introduction

The fruits of Cerrado (Brazilian savannah) fruit tree species have unique flavors and are characterized as exotic fruits. In addition to being used as food, they have potential pharmacological and nutraceutical properties. In a review of the chemical composition and biological activity of fruits in the genus Pouteria, Silva et al (2009) notes that several species of this genus produce bio-molecules with biological activity, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities.

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Results