GROWTH OF Peltophorum dubium SEEDLINGS AS A FUNCTION OF SUBSTRATE VOLUME AND FERTILIZATION

Abstract

The size and shape of the container, combined with the use of slow-release fertilizers, contribute to the improvement of the quality of seedlings of forest species. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the production of canafístula seedlings in tubes of different volumes by adding slow-release fertilizer (SRF). The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3x2 factorial scheme with three tube volumes (100, 175, and 280 cm³) and two SRF doses (0 and 6 g L^-1) with four replications. The variables tested were: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, root length, height versus stem diameter ratio, fresh mass of the aerial part, root mass, total mass, dry mass of the aerial part, root mass, total mass, and the Dickson's quality index. Significant interactions occurred for most of the variables evaluated in the study. The fresh mass and dry mass of the aerial part, root mass, and total mass showed their highest values when using the 280 cm³ tubes containing SRF in the substrate. The same result was also observed for Dickson's quality index. The larger volume of substrate in the tubes and the addition of slow-release fertilizer promote greater growth of Peltophorum dubium seedlings.