Abstract
The partial or total use of organic compounds for forest seedling production has been considered a reliable alternative to commercial substrate. The objective of this study was to investigate the red-angico (Anadenanthera macrocarpa) and pink kapok (Chorisia speciosa) seedlings development performance cultivated with different proportion of commercial substrate mixed with vermicompost or sewage sludge. Seedlings were produced under greenhouse conditions and different commercial substrate mixed proportions with vermicompost and sewage sludge at 0 (only commercial substrate), 25, 50, 75, and 100% (only organic compound) were evaluated. An increment of plant height and steam diameter for red-angico and pink kapok were observed when both vermicompost or sewage sludge were added to the substrate. Best seedlings development results were found when organic compound represented from 50-75% of the substrate. The use of vermicompost and sewage sludge have showed a good alternative to the commercial substrate.
Highlights
The use of substrate for forest seedling production has been highlighted by its efficiency
It is important to mention that the sewage sludge usage for any agriculture activity in Brazil must meet the Brasil (2006) regulation, which defines the maximum level of contaminants within its composition
Plant height was about 1.2 and 1.1 times higher for vermicompost and sewage sludge, respectively, and 4.2 and 4 times higher for stem diameter, respectively (Figures 3 and 4). These results demonstrate the benefits of mixing organic compound to the commercial substrate for forest seedling production, specially to red-angico which lower results than Gomes et al (1996) suggested parameters were found for C100 treatments
Summary
The use of substrate for forest seedling production has been highlighted by its efficiency. Since there are different feedstocks available that can be used to formulate the substrate, information about the best substrate formula for high forest seedling production is still lacking. An ideal substrate should present chemical/physical characteristics that lead to both high production and quality seedlings, as well as being free from pests and diseases. The authors highlight the need for new research that evaluates different substrate characteristics on the forest species seedling production. Vermicompost and sewage sludge are two components that are commonly used to produce formulated substrate for forest seedling production. The sewage sludge is a solid sub product from sewage treatment plants that is capable of promoting selected nutrient availability to the seedling, as well as to contribute to the reduction of the environmental pollution by its adequate final usage (Santos et al, 2014a)
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