Abstract
ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to determine the efficiency of poultry litter ratios added to the commercial substrate and to peat in the growth and quality of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seedlings. The design was completely randomized, with 10 replications, in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement with two substrates (peat and commercial substrate) and five poultry litter ratios, added (v:v) to both substrates (0, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). The height, stem diameter, dry matter of shoot and roots, root specific surface area, Dickson quality index and NPK accumulated in dry matter of shoot and roots were evaluated. Poultry litter can be added up to a 35% ratio to the commercial substrate or to peat for the production of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seedlings; proportions above this, for both substrates, compromise the production. The treatments with peat provided lower growth and quality of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seedlings, compared to the commercial substrate.
Highlights
In Brazil, mainly in the southern region of the country, to the detriment of intensive poultry farming, a large contingent of organic waste from poultry litter is produced (USDA, 2016)
This species is recommended for the reforestation of degraded areas, permanent preservation and mixed plantations, mainly due to its rapid initial growth (Araujo & Paiva, 2011), and its high capacity to overcome competition and to exploit soil by its root system (Marcuzzo et al, 2015)
The regression equations, adjusted with the poultry litter ratios added to the commercial substrate and the peat, were quadratic in all evaluated parameters, indicating the existence of an adequate ratio of poultry litter that enhances the growth and quality of seedlings
Summary
In Brazil, mainly in the southern region of the country, to the detriment of intensive poultry farming, a large contingent of organic waste from poultry litter is produced (USDA, 2016). These residues, when properly managed, can serve as fertilizer, making it possible to partially replace the substrates used in the production of seedlings (Brugnara, 2014). (earpod tree) is a pioneer native tree species belonging to the Leguminosae family, occurring in the caatinga, cerrado and pampa biomes (Grings & Brack, 2011) This species is recommended for the reforestation of degraded areas, permanent preservation and mixed plantations, mainly due to its rapid initial growth (Araujo & Paiva, 2011), and its high capacity to overcome competition and to exploit soil by its root system (Marcuzzo et al, 2015). Organic waste is an alternative in terms of substrate components for the production of forest seedlings; it is necessary to chemically characterize the residues for nutritional purposes, in order to guarantee the survival and growth of seedlings (Santos et al, 2014)
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