ABSTRACT Background: The increase in agricultural production requires sustainable alternatives development for reusing the waste generated, such as bovine manure, to obtain ecological, environmental, and economic benefits. In addition, proper fertilization is one of the main steps in the production of forest species seedlings. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the effect of different substrates formulations based on bovine manure and types of fertilizers on the quality of C. montevidense seedlings and verify if the field confirms the nurseries’ responses. The treatments consisted of three BM-based substrates combinations (S0 - control, no manure; S30 - 30% BM; and S60 - 60% BM) and four types of base fertilizers [Control: no fertilizer, FRF - Fast Release Fertilizer (NPK + fritted trace elements), FRF2 - twice as used in FRF and CRF - Controlled Release Fertilizer]. The substrates quality and the seedlings’ morphophysiological attributes were determined 160 days after sowing, then conducting the best treatments to the field. Results: We verified that the use of bovine manure improved the physical and chemical properties of the substrates. For the C. montevidense cultivation, 30% BM plus CRF provided the best seedling development. The substrate used in the seedlings production influenced the post-planting performance of C. montevidense, and the bovine manure use allows for more significant plant growth in the field. Conclusion: For the cultivation of Citharexylum montevidense, it is recommended to use substrates composed of 30% of bovine manure, associated with 6 g L-1 of controlled-release fertilizer, as it provides higher quality seedlings in shorter production time in the nursery.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate different container sizes and substrates formulated with agro-industrial residues to produce Handroanthus heptaphyllus and Schinus terebinthifolius seedlings. The experiment had a completely randomized design with four replications (48 seedlings each), in a factorial scheme (containers × substrates), with two containers (110 and 180 cm3) and ten substrates (agro-industrial residues (crushed peach pits and peel rice) mixed with organic compost). Carbonized and hydrolyzed rice husk (CRH and HRH, respectively) were used. At 90 and 108 days after the emergence of the S. terebinthifolius and H. heptaphyllus seedlings, the morphophysiological attributes were evaluated. Considering the attributes evaluated in this study, the 180 cm3 container promoted more significant seedling growth for both species. Substrates containing up to 20% CRH, HRH, or crushed peach pits (CPP) are indicated for S. terebinthifolius, and those with up to 30% CRH or 10% HRH or CPP are indicated for H. heptaphyllus.

ABSTRACT Increased production of agro-industrial waste is a global concern, requiring proper disposal. In this sense, they can represent alternative sources for substrate production, adding value to the materials and reducing the cost of seedlings in the nursery. However, their proportions in the mixture should be adequate for better use of water and nutrients, ensuring better seedling quality. The objective of this study was to identify the potential of rice husk and peach kernel residue, as a secondary substrate component, for the production of Eucalyptus grandis seedlings. The carbonated (CRH), hydrolyzed (HRH) rice husk and crushed peach kernel (CPK) were added at 0, 10, 20 and 30% to an organic substrate. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and correlation analysis between the variables of the substrates and the morphological and physiological attributes. The results indicated that the HRH and CPK can add value to the agro-industrial residue when mixed to the organic compound in proportions of 20 and 10%, respectively, being adequate and compatible with the use of CRH in the proportion of up to 30%. Eucalyptus grandis seedlings, after 90 days of cultivation, presented quality to be hardened and dispatched when grown on organic compound substrates with up to 30% CRH, 20% HRH and 10% CPK.

O termo "substrato para plantas" refere-se ao meio de crescimento usado no cultivo em recipientes, freqüentemente resultante da mistura de materiais. A qualidade final depende das propriedades físicas e químicas de cada componente e da interação entre eles, as quais precisam ser caracterizadas. Apesar de obras referenciais serem unânimes em incluir a densidade volumétrica na caracterização de substratos, ocorrem dificuldades para interpretar laudos emitidos por diferentes laboratórios, porque estes utilizam métodos diferentes ou variações de um mesmo método. Além das diferenças entre os métodos, podem ocorrer outras causas de variação na obtenção dos resultados de uma mesma amostra. O presente trabalho visa demonstrar duas das causas de variação na determinação da densidade volumétrica: 1) o método de análise [método do duplo anel (CEN), método utilizado pela indústria (IND) e método da autocompactação (AUTO)] dos substratos pó de coco, areia de rio média lavada, turfa fibrosa in natura e Plantmax® Hortaliça; 2) e o nível inicial de umidade (0,62, 0,69 e 0,72g/g) em amostras de turfa fibrosa in natura. Constatou-se que os valores de densidade, determinados pelo método AUTO, representam cerca de 20% a mais do que os valores determinados pelo método IND; as relações entre os métodos AUTO e CEN, bem como CEN e IND não são uniformes, variando conforme o material; a umidade inicial da amostra também representa causa de variação nos resultados.

The term "substrate for plants" refers to the growth medium used in cultivation in containers, often resulting from the mixture of materials. The final quality depends on the physical and chemical attributes of each component and the interaction among them, which need to be characterized. Although the reference works are unanimous including volumetric density for substrate characterization, the interpretation of reports from different laboratories is difficult, because they use different methods or variations of the same method. In addition to the differences between methods, there might be other causes of variation in the achievement of results from a single sample. This work aims to demonstrate two of the causes of variation in the determination of density by volume: 1) the method of analysis [method of double ring (CEN), the method used by the industry (IND) and method of auto compact (AUTO) of substrate dust] of coconut, washed sand of river, peat brown in natura and Plantmax® for horticulture; 2) and the initial level of humidity (0.62, 0.69 and 0.72 g/g) in in natura samples of peat brown. The density values, determined by the AUTO, represented about 20% more than the values determined by IND; relations between the AUTO and CEN methods as well as CEN and IND were not uniform, depending on the material. Initial moisture of the sample also represents the cause of variation in the results.

A escolha das cultivares possui importância relevante para alcançar o sucesso no cultivo do morangueiro. No entanto, as pesquisas com cultivares, normalmente ocorrem em sistemas convencionais de produção e não em sistemas de cultivo sem solo. Em função disso, avaliaram-se quatro cultivares de morangueiro em sistema sem solo, em casas de vegetação, em duas localidades, com condições ecoclimáticas diferentes, em Eldorado do Sul (Depressão Central) e Caxias do Sul (Serra do Nordeste), no RS. Foram estudadas as cultivares de morangueiro Aromas, Camarosa, Oso Grande e Tudla. O plantio ocorreu em maio de 2005, sendo as mudas colocadas em sacolas que continham substrato composto de 50% de turfa e 50% de casca de arroz queimada. A adubação foi realizada via fertirrigação. A colheita foi feita quando os frutos apresentavam 70% de cor avermelhada até totalmente vermelhos. Os resultados mostraram que o morango, em cultivo sem solo, embora apresentasse menor rendimento por planta que em cultivo tradicional, propiciou melhor aproveitamento interno da casa de vegetação, com reflexos positivos no rendimento por área, em função da alta densidade de plantas e maior facilidade de manejo da cultura. A cultura do morangueiro apresentou maior produtividade no cultivo realizado em Caxias do Sul (235,8 g planta-1), quando comparado a Eldorado do Sul (196,4 g planta-1) mesmo sem interação entre locais e cultivares. Em Caxias do Sul, as cultivares Aromas, Oso Grande e Camarosa apresentaram maiores produtividades quando comparadas a Tudla, mas nenhuma delas apresentou diferença em Eldorado do Sul.

The choice of cultivars has important significance in achieving success in strawberries cultivation. However, the experiments with cultivars are usually carried out in conventional systems of production and not in soilless growing systems. Due to this, the present research intended to assess the performance of some strawberry cultivars in soilless growing system, inside the greenhouse, in two regions with different ecoclimatic conditions, in Eldorado do Sul (Depressão Central) and Caxias do Sul (Serra do Nordeste), in Rio Grande do Sul State. Four strawberry cultivars were tested: Aromas, Camarosa, Oso Grande and Tudla. The planting was in May 2005, and the seedlings were placed in bags containing substrate composed of 50% of peat and 50% charred rice hulls. The fertilizer was supplied by fertirrigation. Fruits were harvested when 70% of them presented red color up to fully mature. The results showed that the cultivation of strawberries in this system led to lower yield per plant than in a traditional system, but provides better use of internal greenhouse, with positive consequences in yield per area, due to the high density of plants and the facility to manage the crop. The highest productivity was obtained in Caxias do Sul (235.8 g plant-1) compared to Eldorado do Sul (196.4 g plant-1) without interaction between locations and cultivars. In Caxias do Sul, the cultivars Aromas, Oso Grande and Camarosa presented highest yield when compared to Tudla, but there was no difference in Eldorado do Sul.

Avaliou-se as características físicas e químicas dos resíduos da extração do palmito da palmeira real australiana [Archontophoenix alexandrae (F. Muell.) H. Wendl. & Drude] com vistas à sua utilização como substrato para plantas. Estudou-se amostras originárias de dois locais, do interior e do litoral, e subdividiu-se as mesmas segundo as partes da planta em folhas, estipe, e "cartucho" (bainhas), sendo analisadas na forma in natura e após sofrer hidrólise ácida. Todas as amostras foram caracterizadas determinando-se a densidade úmida e seca, a porosidade total, o espaço de aeração, a disponibilidade de água, o valor de pH, a condutividade elétrica e o teor total de sais solúveis. Não houve diferença estatística entre as amostras para as características físicas estudadas. As amostras oriundas do litoral não diferiram daquelas obtidas no interior, assim como, as amostras que sofreram hidrólise ácida não diferiram daquelas in natura. Da mesma forma, as partes da planta (folhas, estipe e cartucho) não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre si. No entanto, os resultados das características químicas consideradas não são apropriados para a utilização dos resíduos da indústria de conserva de palmito como substrato para plantas e indicam a necessidade de novos estudos com resíduos provenientes de plantio controlado da palmeira real australiana.

A study was held to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics of wastes from the extraction of the heart of the Australian real palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae), in order to use it as substrates for plants. Samples from inland and from seaside were subdivided into leaves, stipe and "cartridge" (sheaths) and analyzed in the in natura form and after acid hydrolysis. All samples were characterized by humid and dry density, total porosity, aeration space and availability of water, pH, electric conductivity and total content of soluble salts. There was no statistical difference among the samples for the studied physical characteristics. The samples from seaside did not differ from those from inland and the samples that have suffered acid hydrolysis did not differ from those in natura. Also, the parts of the plant (leaves, stipe and cartridge) showed no significant differences among themselves. The results of chemical characteristics showed the utilization of wastes from the production of palm heart canning as substrates for plants is not recommended. Additionally, the results evidenced the need for new studies with waste from controlled planting of Australian real palm.