Substrate and container size over the development of Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg. at the nursery

Abstract

The traditional production of Hevea brasiliensis in polybags has several operational problems and of quality of the seedlings. In order to find new production alternatives at the nursery for this species, the effect of different sizes of container (1.5 and 2.0 L) and mixtures of substrate: peat moss + vermiculite + agrolite (5:3:2); coconut fiber + vermiculite + agrolite (5:3:2); and coffee husk with cachaza (both composted materials) in different concentrations (3:1, 2:2 and 1:3), in order to compare them to the traditional system (5 L plastic bag with agricultural ground as a substrate), in regard to the morphological attributes, distribution of biomass and root architecture in plants of this species before and after grafting. Results showed significant differences (p <0.05) between treatments, associated mainly to the second criterion in some morphological variables evaluated before the graft. In biomass variables before and after it, there were significant differences between treatments, related majorly to the substrate. In the root architecture variables differences between treatments were linked to both the assessed factors. The container-substrate interaction is less important than the single factors; substrate showed greater influence in seedling growth than the size of the container. The former data suggest that it is possible to replace the traditional production system of Hevea brasiliensis in polybags by a production system in containers and a mixture of the aforementioned combinations.