THE USE OF HYDROGEL COMBINED WITH APPROPRIATE SUBSTRATE AND FERTILIZER IMPROVE QUALITY AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF Mimosa scabrella BENTH. SEEDLINGS

Enéas Ricardo Konzen,Marcio Carlos Navroski,Luís Henrique Ferrari,Mariane De Oliveira Pereira,Dionéia Felippe,Gustavo Friederichs

doi:10.1590/01047760201723042440

Enéas Ricardo Konzen, Marcio Carlos Navroski + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/01047760201723042440

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Mimosa scabrella is a pioneer species that occurs mainly in the ombrophilous mixed forests of southern Brazil, assuming considerable economic relevance. As limited information is available concerning the most adequate substrates for producing seedlings of this species, we evaluated the combined effect of hydrogel with three types of substrates and four fertilizers in the initial growth and quality of seedlings of M. scabrella. The substrates were prepared with distinct proportions of a commercial organic substrate, vermiculite (VM) and pine bark (PB): 1 (70% of TF, 10% of VM and 20% of PB), 2 (40% of each TF and VM and 20% of PB), and 3 (70% of TF, 10% of VM and 20% of PB). The fertilizers consisted of a slow release formula (A), a traditional NPK (B), a compost of superphosphate and potassium chloride (C) and no fertilizer (D). The three soil mixtures were combined with each fertilizer in the presence or absence of hydrogel (factorial arrangement). The use of hydrogel promoted a positive effect on the growth of M. scabrella seedlings, probably by retaining more water and enabling increased nutrient absorption. In general, the polymer implicated in increased Dickson quality index (DQI). Additionally, the combination of organic compound and vermiculite in equilibrated proportions aid by pinus bark (substrate 2) were the best substrate. Finally, adding the fertilizers A or B resulted in the best growth performance. In conclusion, the combined effect of hydrogel, substrate mixture and fertilizers improved the quality indexes of M. scabrella seedlings.

Highlights

Mimosa scabrella Benth. is a pioneer tree with short life cycle, which occurs mainly in the ombrophilous mixed forests in southern Brazil, and in some areas of the Southeast region
Variation of plant height over time The substrates and fertilizers interfered with the average H of M. scabrella
The highest plants were grown from substrate 2 (40% Turfa Fértil (TF), 40% VM, 20% pine bark (PB)) and fertilizers A and B (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Mimosa scabrella Benth. is a pioneer tree with short life cycle, which occurs mainly in the ombrophilous mixed forests in southern Brazil (southern distribution), and in some areas of the Southeast region. Is a pioneer tree with short life cycle, which occurs mainly in the ombrophilous mixed forests in southern Brazil (southern distribution), and in some areas of the Southeast region. In the country, it is popularly known as bracatinga, occurring in dense natural agglomerates and almost pure (CARPANEZZI et al, 1988; MAZUCHOWSKI et al, 2014). M. scabrella reachs up to 20 m in height and a diameter at breast height up to 40 cm (CARPANEZZI et al, 1988). An interesting novel application concerns the honey produced by the bee Melipona marginata, which was proved to be originated exclusively from M. scabrella flowers and showed anti-inflammatory principles (BORSATO et al, 2014)

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