THE USE OF HYDROGEL COMBINED WITH APPROPRIATE SUBSTRATE AND FERTILIZER IMPROVE QUALITY AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF Mimosa scabrella BENTH. SEEDLINGS

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Mimosa scabrella is a pioneer species that occurs mainly in the ombrophilous mixed forests of southern Brazil, assuming considerable economic relevance. As limited information is available concerning the most adequate substrates for producing seedlings of this species, we evaluated the combined effect of hydrogel with three types of substrates and four fertilizers in the initial growth and quality of seedlings of M. scabrella. The substrates were prepared with distinct proportions of a commercial organic substrate, vermiculite (VM) and pine bark (PB): 1 (70% of TF, 10% of VM and 20% of PB), 2 (40% of each TF and VM and 20% of PB), and 3 (70% of TF, 10% of VM and 20% of PB). The fertilizers consisted of a slow release formula (A), a traditional NPK (B), a compost of superphosphate and potassium chloride (C) and no fertilizer (D). The three soil mixtures were combined with each fertilizer in the presence or absence of hydrogel (factorial arrangement). The use of hydrogel promoted a positive effect on the growth of M. scabrella seedlings, probably by retaining more water and enabling increased nutrient absorption. In general, the polymer implicated in increased Dickson quality index (DQI). Additionally, the combination of organic compound and vermiculite in equilibrated proportions aid by pinus bark (substrate 2) were the best substrate. Finally, adding the fertilizers A or B resulted in the best growth performance. In conclusion, the combined effect of hydrogel, substrate mixture and fertilizers improved the quality indexes of M. scabrella seedlings. O USO DE HIDROGEL COMBINADO COM SUBSTRATO E FERTILIZANTE ADEQUADOS MELHORAM A QUALIDADE E CRESCIMENTO DE MUDAS DE Mimosa scabrella BENTH.RESUMO: Mimosa scabrella é uma espécie pioneira que ocorre principalmente na floresta ombrófila mista do Sul do Brasil, apresentando considerável importância econômica. Considerando as limitadas informações acerca dos substratos mais adequados para a produção de mudas da espécie, neste trabalho avaliou-se o efeito combinado do uso de hidrogel com três tipos de substratos e quatro fertilizantes no crescimento inicial e qualidade de mudas de M. scabrella. Os substratos foram preparados com proporções distintas de um substrato orgânico comercial, vermiculita (VM) e casca de pinus (PB): 1 (70% de TF, 10% de VM e 20% de PB), 2 (40% de TF e VM e 20% of PB), e 3 (70% de TF, 10% de VM e 20% de PB). Os fertilizantes consistiram de uma fórmula de liberação lenta (A), o tradicional NPK (B), um composto de superfosfato simples e de cloreto de potássio (C) e com fertilizante ausente (D). Os três compostos de substratos foram combinados com cada fertilizante na presença ou ausência de hidrogel (arranjo fatorial). O uso de hidrogel promoveu um efeito positivo no crescimento das mudas de M. scabrella, provavelmente retendo mais água e permitindo maior absorção de nutrientes. No geral, o polímero implicou em aumento no índice de qualidade de Dickson (DQI). Adicionalmente, a combinação do composto orgânico e vermiculita em proporções equilibr...

Effect of Different Soil Treatments with Hydrogel on the Performance of Drought-Sensitive and Tolerant Tree Species in a Semi-Arid Region

“…Hydrogel application has been reported to enhance the aboveground growth of the plant, support survival, and significantly improve the health status [10,11,14,16]. Moreover, our findings indicate that the magnitude of the response to hydrogel strongly depends on the drought-sensitivity or drought-tolerance of the tree species.…”

“…Moreover, hydrogel should be applied with additional substances as straw or subsoil that can increase soil porosity and, therefore, oxygen supply to the roots. In this respect, an expanded form of vermiculite can be effective [16]. Added substrate porosity seems to be crucial for any hydrogel amendment treatments as poor physiological tree growth may be related to the reduced root aeration [12].…”

“…Hydrogel might suppress germination because the polymer is able to withhold large amounts of water when excessive irrigation is applied [10]. When used alone, hydrogel may also harm seedlings by reducing root aeration [12,16]. Therefore, the application of an organic substrate (vermiculite, bark, etc.)…”

Copolymerized Natural Fibre from the Mesocarp of Orbignya phalerata (Babassu Fruit) as an Irrigating-Fertilizer for Growing Cactus Pears

“…More cladodes were observed with the use of hydrogels (CH and TH irrigation-fertilization), demonstrating the effect of these on cactus pear growth. An irrigation-fertilization hydrogel provides slow release of water and nutrients to the plant [ 33 ], stimulating growth of more cladodes when compared to WH irrigation-fertilization.…”

“…The greater dry matter (DM) content observed in the “Baiana”, “Doce”, and “Gigante” cactus genotypes with the use of TH irrigation-fertilization demonstrates that, this treatment facilitated greater accumulation of organic and mineral compounds in the tissues of the plants [ 33 ]. The greater DM content of the “Baiana”, “Doce”, and “Gigante” cactus genotypes is related to a higher total dry biomass accumulation, which is an important characteristic for animal production as it provides greater food availability, increasing food security for herds in dry regions [ 47 ].…”