Due to the restriction that the stiff plastic tubes impose to the lateral growth of the root system, the use of pressed organic materials has been proposed for the production of forests species seedlings. The research was carried out with the objectives of evaluating the production of rootstock 'Rangpur' lime tree in pressed blocks until the transplant, and the effect of those systems were evaluated and doses of slow release fertilizer on the growth of that rootstock until the grafting point. Three production systems were evaluated: in stiff plastic tubes filled up with commercial substrate composed by pinus bark; in stiff plastic tubes filled up with substrate composed by sugarcane bagasse and industrial sugarcane plant residues, (3:2;v:v); and production in "pressed blocks" constituted by the press of the substrate used in the system 2. From transplant at the grafting point, five doses of Osmocote® (NPK 14-14-14) were used: 5, 10, 15, 20 e 25g plant-1. Compared to the seedlings grown in tubes, seedlings coming of the system of pressed blocks reached the transplant and the grafting point more quickly. In the grafting point they resulted in rootstocks with larger stem diameter, larger root and aerial part dry matter. The system used in the production of the rootstock also interfered in the answer of the plants to the employed manuring.
Citrus limonia; container; propagation; substrates; fertilization
