The effects of hidroretentive polymers added to the substratum was evaluated in the initial phase of production of 'Cleópatra' mandarin rootstock. They were cultivated in container seedlings with commercial pine bark substratum composted and partially fertilized. The randomized blocks experimental design was used with three replications, being the treatments six doses of the hydroretentive polymer (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 32 mg.dm-3) incorporated to the substratum. The Index of Emergency Speed (IVE), plant height, weight of the matter total drought and their tenors of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe, and values of pH substratum were evaluated. The use of incorporated hydroretentive polymer to the cultivation substratum increased the values of pH of the substratum, decreases in IVE, the growth and the weight of the total dry matter, not having expressive alteration in the nutritional state of the rootstocks.
Citrus; hydrogel; poliacrilate; soil conditioner; nursery plant