SUBSTRATE FERTILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF JUÇARA SEEDLINGS FOR ORNAMENTAL PURPOSES

The sustainable management of forest resources, the high demand for ecological restoration and the productive and ornamental potential of Euterpe edulis make it a key species for the Atlantic Forest conservation. The production of quality seedlings of native species stands out among the propagation strategies. Different products and processes are emerging and being incorporated into the agricultural substrates used by forest nurseries. Three fertilization technologies were tested for the production of Euterpe edulis seedlings: slow-release fertilizer (FLL), agro-industrial organic compost (FCO) and bokashi (FBO) in four different doses. The design used was completely randomized with four replications of thirteen treatments and nine plants as a sample unit, being evaluated at 270 days. The development was measured through the variables shoot height, collar diameter, aboveground fresh biomass, aboveground dry biomass, root dry biomass, total dry biomass. From these, seedling quality indices, collar height and diameter ratio, Dickson quality index and maximum technical efficiency dose were calculated. It was observed that E. edulis seedlings responded positively to the use of FLL and to the use of FCO, however, they did not present satisfactory results for FBO under the tested conditions. The maximum technical efficiency dose found for the FCO was 167.36 Kg.m-3. For FLL a dose of at least 12 Kg.m-3 can be recommended.