Ranking of substrates based on Piptadenia gonoacantha morphological parameters

Abstract

The definition of best substrates is often difficult due to variability of results observed in different measured variables. Therefore, we defined the best substrates for Piptadenia gonoacantha seedlings production through ranking, taking into account the relative importance of each variable in seedlings quality. In this regard, 13 substrates were formulated, composed of carbonized rice husk in different grain size, coconut fiber and two commercial substrates, pine bark and vermiculite base, all of which had their physical and chemical properties evaluated. Direct seeding was held in containers of 115 cm³, remaining for 90 days in a greenhouse and 30 days in a hardening area with full sunlight. After 120 days, an assessment of height, stem diameter, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, ease of container removal, and aggregation of roots to substrate was performed. As a result, we found higher seedling growth in substrates composed of pure components, which were based on different rice husk grain size. Addition of coconut fiber provided seedlings with lower quality. Pine bark-based commercial substrates occupied the sixth and 12^th positions in substrates ranking classification.