Quality of Lecythis tuyrana Pittier Seedlings Using Controlled-Release Fertilizer, Volumes of Container and Light Acclimatation

Abstract

Lecythis tuyrana is an endemic tree in the Magdalena River basin in Colombia with unexplored forestry, nutraceutical, medicinal and nutritional potential. In the nursery, two experiments on the production of L. tuyrana seedling were evaluated. In the first experiment, three container volumes and the absence or presence (3 g L -1 ) of a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) were evaluated. The use of tube trays (700 cm 3 ) and CRF significantly increased the height, biomass, and Dickson quality index of the seedlings (between 28 to 61 %) compared to those not fertilized. In the second experiment the light acclimation of seedlings was evaluated in two environments: full sun at 50% and 100%. There were no changes in photosynthetic rates when the seedlings were kept in the shade for longer, but there was a lesser accumulation of biomass. A light intensity of approximately 1 600 µmol m -2 s -1 is considered optimal for L. tuyrana seedling.