TAGETES PATULA SEEDLING PRODUCTION

Abstract

The objective of this project was to propose an alternative for ecological destination of residues discarded in the environment. The selected residue was carbonized rice coat mixed with sand in different proportions in order to obtain substrates with 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9 g.cm -3 densities. The substrates were tested in an experiment with Tagetes patula seedlings, and the experimental layout adopted was a complete randomized design with 8 treatments, 6 replications and 30 plants per parcel. At the end of the experiment, the phytotechnical parameters and substrate physical characteristics were evaluated. The data obtained were analyzed through the SAEG software and the analyses performed were analysis of variance and Tukey test. When different densities of substrates were evaluated in Tagetes seedlings cultivation it was observed that the 0.2 and 0.3 g.cm -3 densities presented the best results in most of the evaluated variables. Regarding the phytotechnical characteristics, the experiment presented results that are significantly better for height of seedlings, fresh top weight, dry top weight and root weight and roots volume. As for the physical characteristics, the substrates presented total porosity, space occupied by air, available water and easily available water with adequate levels for substrates. When analyzed as a whole, the data obtained in the phytotechnical and physical characteristics showed that the air volume was the limiting factor for the seedlings development.