Quality of Caesalpinia ferrea seedlings produced on different substrates and light conditions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different substrates and luminosity in the early growth of Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. ex Tul. seedlings. It was used completely randomized design in factorial 5 x 2 (five substrates and two environments) with four replications of 10 plants in each plot. The substrates were 1- arisco, 2- arisco + cattle manure 2:1, 3- arisco + cattle manure 3:1, 4- sand + cattle manure 2:1 and 5- sand + cattle manure 3:1. Environments were in full sun and 50% light. The evaluated characteristics in September 2009, were stem diameter, height, roots dry mass, shoots dry mass, leaf area and index quality of Dickson. There was no significant difference for stem diameter. The substrates containing manure promoted the development in height, dry mass of roots and shoots in both environments. Leaf area of seedlings was greater in shaded conditions and substrates with manure. The best quality seedlings were produced in 50% light or full sun. The seedlings should be produced on substrates containing cattle manure and conditions of full sun.