Irrigation Regimes on Growth and Metabolic Processes of Enterolobium contortisiliquum Seedlings

Abstract

In forest nurseries, one of the factors that change the growth and quality of seedlings is water supply, which has a direct influence on metabolic processes such as stomatal conductance and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. This study aims to identify the influence of different watering regimes as well as the use of a water-retaining polymer on the initial growth and metabolic processes of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seedlings. The experimental design was in random blocks with a factorial scheme. Morphological attributes, as well as physiological and biochemical attributes were investigated. We verified that the performance of E. contortisiliquum seedlings depends on the watering regime provided to the plants; furthermore, up to 60 days after the application of the treatments, both the height and diameter of the collection and the leaf water potential were similar in the water regimes of 8 mm day-1 and 12 mm day-1.

Water regime and substrate influence the growth of Eugenia uniflora seedlings

“…On the other hand, Turchetto et al (2020) observed that in the production of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seedlings, irrigation regimes of 8 and 12 mm day -1 are necessary to obtain adequate development. Dutra et al (2018) found that Luehea divaricata seedlings submitted to different substrates and irrigation schemes had high water demand during the production phase, requiring 16 mm day -1 of water.…”

“…et Zucc (Dutra et al 2018) and Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong (Turchetto et al 2020), have shown the importance of aligning daily irrigation levels with the characteristics of the species and stage of nursery growth. According to Dutra et al (2018) identifying regimens suitable for different species will aid in reducing seedling production costs as well as providing superior physiological and sanitary control.…”

The water-retaining polymer improves the seedlings quality of native forest species in a nursery

“…Mattos seedlings production, also found the positive effect of adding 4.0 g L -1 hydrogel to the substrate on growth in height and diameter of the collection. Turchetto et al (2020), evaluating the effect of different substrates and irrigation regimes on morphophysiological attributes of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seedlings, observed that hydrogel incorporation to the substrate provides higher growth rates and biomass allocation, regardless of the daily water regime adopted.…”

Strategies for optimizing the enrichment direct sowing: inoculation with Trichoderma spp. and use of a hydrogel

“…This polymer have the capacity to absorb water during periods of water availability and release it to the roots of plants when there is a deficit in the soil (Leciejewski, 2009). Previous studies have already shown positive effects of hydrogel on tree nursery-grown seedling development (Griebeler et al, 2022;Turchetto et al, 2020). However, studies that evaluate its effectiveness in direct sowing of forest species are scarce (Souza, 2022).…”