Bioactive Compounds and Initial Growth Parameters of <i>Jacaranda mimosifolia</i> Under Shading Levels and Substrate Compositions in Tropical Conditions

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate bioactive compounds and initial growth parameters of Jacaranda mimosifolia seedlings under shading levels and substrate compositions. Methods A completely randomized design arranged in a 3 × 5 factorial scheme (3 shading × 5 substrates) was used. The shading levels were 0%, 30%, and 50%. The substrates were compost made up of organomineral material (M) and vermiculite (V): 100/0 M:V, 80/20 M:V, 60/40 M:V, 40/60 M:V, and 20/80 M:V. Results Producing J. mimosifolia seedlings under the full sun is not recommended in tropical conditions. The 30% and 50% shade screens reduced photosynthetically active radiation by 38% and 62%, respectively. In the 50% shading environment, the average number of leaves increased by 68%, the stem diameter by 60%, the shoot dry matter by 250%, the root dry matter by 113%, the total dry matter by 184%, and the quality of the J. mimosifolia seedlings by 127%. The cultivation in the 50% shading environment, on average, increased the chlorophyll a content by 77%, the chlorophyll b content by 56%, the total chlorophyll content by 70%, and the carotenoid content of the J. mimosifolia seedlings by 45%. A substrate containing 20%M for J. mimosifolia seedlings is not recommended. The best J. mimosifolia seedlings are produced in the 50% shading environment and the 100%M substrate, resulting in better biometric quality and higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in addition to promoting an improvement in the survival rate and acceleration in initial growth.