Seedling development of Melochia pyramidata in different substrates and pot sizes

Abstract

Native plants such asMelochia pyramidatahave been targeted in various scientific studies due to their potential uses. From this perspective, the present study aimed to separately evaluate the effect of different substrates and pot sizeson the production of seedlings of M. pyramidatagenotypes propagated by cuttings. Theexperimentwas conducted in a plant nursery at the Center of Agricultural Sciences of theFederal University of Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil. Theexperimental design was completely randomizedandarranged in a 3 x 2factorialdesignwith three substrate types (sand, commercial substrate Plantmax®, andsand+ manure) and two genotypes(MP1 andMP2), withfive replications. Pot size evaluation used a 2 x 2factorial designwith two pot sizes(V1: 1.8 LandV2: 0.9 L), two genotypes(MP1 andMP2), andfour replications. The evaluations began seven days after the cuttings were planted in tubes and continued weekly for two months by evaluating the number of sprouts and leaves. After two months, these seedlings were transplanted to pots and evaluated for the number of sprouts, leaves, fruits, flower buds, leaf width, and leaf length. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and test of means(Tukey) at5% probability. The cuttings ofM. pyramidatadeveloped best in washed sand and in the commercial substratePlantmax®. The genotypes developed best in 1.8-L pots, showing more leaves, flower buds, and fruits.