Substrates and Protected Environments in the Formation of Mouriri elliptica Mart Seedlings

Abstract

The successful establishment of a forest restoration program depends of the seedling quality, and the choice of substrate and growing environment plays a significant role in the production of high-quality seedlings. A study was conducted to evaluate the production of croada seedlings (Mouriri elliptica Mart.) grown in thirteen substrate combinations and subjected to two production nurseries constructed with black shading screen (Sombrite®) and aluminized thermal-reflective screen (Aluminet®). The substrates were prepared from different proportions of bovine manure, soil, vermiculite, and sand. In each protected environment, the thirteen different substrate compositions were arranged in a completely randomized design with five replicates of the five seedlings each. Because there was no replication of the cultivation environments, the joint analysis was carried out, allowing the comparison of the environments in the factorial scheme 2 × 13 (two environments × thirteen substrates). Growth and quality of seedlings were measured at 188 days. Seedling production environment has no effect on the germination and emergence process of the seedlings, but the growth and quality of the seedlings can be improved when grown in the nursery with black shading screen. Substrates containing low proportion of bovine manure (from 10 to 30%) and high proportion of vermiculite (from 30 to 40%) resulted in high-quality croada seedlings.