Alternative Substrates and Fertilization Doses in the Production of Pinus cembroides Zucc. in Nursery

Abstract

Rooting substrate and fertilization are key components in the production of containerized seedlings, as they can influence the morphological and physiological characteristics of the plants, which in turn can impact outplanting performance. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of four substrates based on mixtures of peat moss (PM), composted bark (CB) and raw pine sawdust (PS), combined with two doses of controlled release fertilizer (CRF) and one non-fertilized control, on the growth of Pinus cembroides Zucc. in the nursery. The treatments were: M1: 50+25+25, M2: 25+25+50, M3: 25+50+25 and M4: 50+50+0 of PM+ CB+ PS (% by volume), respectively. Fertilizer treatments used a controlled release fertilizer (Multicote®): F1: 3 kg m−3 and F2: 6 kg m−3 and a control (WF: with no added fertilizer). The treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block design, with a factorial arrangement of 4 × 3 and six replications. The variables evaluated were: height, seedling diameter, dry biomass, Dickson Quality Index, N, P and K content. Regardless of the substrate, the high fertilizer dose (6 kg m−3) improved most morphological variables. In addition, the high fertilizer dose resulted in foliar N, P and K concentrations within recommended ranges for all substrates. The substrate containing only peat moss and composted bark (M4 + F1 and M4 + F2) had the best growth response. However, the substrate composed of 25% peat moss, 50% composted bark and 25% raw pine sawdust with the high fertilizer dose (M3 + F2) resulted in acceptable seedling growth, and may be preferred if the cost of the substrate is a concern to nursery manager.

Composted sewage sludge as an alternative substrate for forest seedlings production

“…The variables most used to determine forest seedlings' quality are height and stem diameter because the measurement is simple, fast, and non-destructive (Ivetić et al 2016). The correlation with Dickson Quality Index also shows height and stem diameter as important indicators of seedling quality (Madrid-Aispuro et al 2020). In this study, we obtained satisfactory values of these variables for all treatments, especially for seedlings produced in SEB.…”

“…Proper understanding of the relationship between seedling quality and field establishment is the key for new plantations and natural regeneration (Dumroese et al 2016, Girona et al 2018). Among the factors affecting seedling growth and quality, the more important ones are cultural practices like irrigation, nutrition, container size, and type, as well as substrate (Kormanek et al 2020, Madrid-Aispuro et al 2020. Hardened seedlings, with adequate morphological and physiological attributes, are more likely to reach their greatest growth potential soon after field planting, guaranteeing their survival in adverse environmental conditions (Grossnickle & Mac-Donald 2018).…”

“…Among the substrates available for seedling production, vermiculite combined with peat has been used for a long time in forest nurseries (Raviv 2013). However, its availability is limited, it can be expensive if imported, and harvesting peat causes ecological impacts (Madrid-Aispuro et al 2020). Several studies have shown that it is possible to obtain substrates made of residues with good physical characteristics, which provides tree seedlings with well-aggregated and quality root systems to be transplanted in the field (Fermino et al 2018, Fornes & Belda 2019, Gabira et al 2020a, Sá et al 2020.…”

GROWTH PROMOTION OF GENETICALLY IMPROVED Pinus taeda SEEDLINGS BY INOCULATION WITH SPECIES OF Bacillus.

“…Quality and health of seedlings is a key factor to effective adaption and growth of plants in the field. Along with genetically improvement, some techniques have been explored to increase quality of Pinus seedlings, such as alternative substrates, fertilizers, growth stimulators and inoculation (Dominguez-Nunes et al, 2015;Madrid-Aispuro et al, 2020;Ostroshenko and Poleschuk, 2020). Among those, inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria is likely the least explored in Brazil, despite its proved benefit in other countries (Probanza et al, 2001;Heredia-Acuna et al, 2019).…”

Improving Containerized Nursery Crop Sustainability: Effects of Conservation-driven Adaptations in Soilless Substrate and Water Use on Plant Growth and Soil-borne Disease Development

“…Many alternatives exist that are arguably more sustainable, including coconut fiber (coir) and milled tree bark. Pine bark has been used in Mexico and the United States for several decades (Madrid-Aispuro et al, 2020). It is valued for its high porosity and drainage (Stewart et al, 2019) as well as potential disease-suppression traits associated with phenol production, high pH, and other properties that may create hostile or favorable conditions for specific plant pathogens (Bonanomi et al, 2010;Friend, 1979;Nicholson and Hammerschmidt, 1992).…”