Morphophysiological responses of Ilex paraguariensis seedlings to different substrates and fertilizations

Associação Riograndense De Empreendimentos De Assistência Técnica E Extensão Rural, Brazil ,Universidade Federal De Santa Maria, Brazil ,Thairini C Zavistanovicz,Rejane Flores,Suelen C Aimi,Álvaro L P Berghetti,Gilmar Deponti,Maristela M Araujo,Instituto Federal De Educação, Ciência E Tecnologia Farroupilha, Brazil

doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v21n2p111-115

Abstract

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for Ilex paraguariensis St. Hill (yerba mate) by-products generated the need for producing a greater quantity of seedlings and improve their quality. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of different substrates combined with base fertilization for Ilex paraguariensis seedlings, through morphophysiological parameters. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in a 5 x 3 factorial arrangement, and the treatments consisted of five substrate formulations combined with two fertilizers, and a control without fertilization, in November 2013. The I. paraguariensis seedlings produced in the substrate consisted of subsurface soil, cattle manure and charred rice hulls (2:2:1) presented the greatest heights (53.36 cm), stem diameter (6.80 mm), leaf area (692.52 cm2), root dry weight (6.2 g) and total dry weight (16.4 g). The efficiency of the different fertilizations used was similar regarding the seedling growth. The physiological parameters did not differ between treatments. The substrate composed of subsurface soil, manure and charred rice hulls (2:2:1) and fertilization with urea (0.7 g L-1) single superphosphate (8.0 g L-1) and potassium chloride (0.4 g L-1) is recommended for producing I. paraguariensis seedlings.

Highlights

The species Ilex paraguariensis (Aquifoliaceae), popularly known as yerba mate, plays an important socio-economic role in the southern region of Brazil (Bernardi et al, 2005)
Wendling et al (2006) evaluated different types of substrate for seedling production and emphasized the use of cattle manure as beneficial to the plant growth (H and SD), which was observed in this present study; and best cost benefit ratio of the substrate consisting of cattle manure (40%) and sawdust (60%), which contributed to the seedling growth, reaching approximately 12.0 cm of height and 2.30 mm of stem diameter at 180 days after transplanting to 100-cm3 tubes
Lourenço et al (1999) found higher average values of SDW (1.63 g) and RDW (0.53 g), evaluating the effectiveness of substrates consisted of subsurface soil and cattle manure in 600-cm3 containers

Summary

Introduction

The species Ilex paraguariensis (Aquifoliaceae), popularly known as yerba mate, plays an important socio-economic role in the southern region of Brazil (Bernardi et al, 2005). Many studies have been conducted on this species due to its economic importance (Wendling et al, 2006; Horbach et al, 2011; Santin et al, 2013), aiming to increase the productivity of yerba mate, from the seedling production to the establishment in the field. Organic residues are the major components of substrates, because their chemical attributes, which may reduce fertilization costs (Cunha et al, 2005). They improve the physical properties of substrate, increasing the water retention capacity, aeration and the availability of nutrients for the seedlings (Trazzi et al, 2013). Base fertilization must be evaluated together with the substrate, since this is a critical factor for producing healthy seedlings (Jacobs & Landis, 2009; Richardson et al, 2014)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion