Abstract
ABSTRACT Increased production of agro-industrial waste is a global concern, requiring proper disposal. In this sense, they can represent alternative sources for substrate production, adding value to the materials and reducing the cost of seedlings in the nursery. However, their proportions in the mixture should be adequate for better use of water and nutrients, ensuring better seedling quality. The objective of this study was to identify the potential of rice husk and peach kernel residue, as a secondary substrate component, for the production of Eucalyptus grandis seedlings. The carbonated (CRH), hydrolyzed (HRH) rice husk and crushed peach kernel (CPK) were added at 0, 10, 20 and 30% to an organic substrate. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and correlation analysis between the variables of the substrates and the morphological and physiological attributes. The results indicated that the HRH and CPK can add value to the agro-industrial residue when mixed to the organic compound in proportions of 20 and 10%, respectively, being adequate and compatible with the use of CRH in the proportion of up to 30%. Eucalyptus grandis seedlings, after 90 days of cultivation, presented quality to be hardened and dispatched when grown on organic compound substrates with up to 30% CRH, 20% HRH and 10% CPK.
Highlights
Substrate is the physical support for the root growth of plants grown in containers, replacing the soil in situ
The commercial substrate (T1) presented dry density (DD) of 267 kg.m-3, whereas for the mixtures with CRH and hydrolyzed or washed (HRH) this variable was moderately reduced as the respective percentages in the composition increased (Figure 1A)
The total porosity of the commercial substrate was of 0.77 m3.m-3, while the mixtures with CRH increased linearly to the TP (T4 = 0.8 m3.m-3) with the addition of this conditioner (Figure 1B)
Summary
Substrate is the physical support for the root growth of plants grown in containers, replacing the soil in situ. Alternative components in the formation of substrate, to produce seedlings in nurseries, are continuously tested in order to replace or improve existing ones These components, when used in the substrate, should guarantee structural stability, allow gas exchange through the roots and provide water to the plants (Regan, 2014). Among the main components used by the industry are peat, vermiculite, perlite, decomposed tree bark, carbonated rice husk and coconut fiber In this context, many agro-industrial residues can serve as an alternative material in the formation of substrates, allowing a more adequate disposal than conventional, adding value to materials and reducing the cost of seedlings in the nursery
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