The seedlings production of quality fruit species is carried in a protected environment, and frequent irrigation is needed due to air temperature variations and to keep the substrate moist. Thus, this study was carried out to evaluate different irrigation frequencies and the incorporation of hydro-absorbent polymer in the production of yellow passion fruit seedlings in two substrate types. The seedlings were produced in polyethylene bags of 650 mL in a greenhouse. It was used a factorial scheme 2 x 2 x 3, distributed in a completely randomized design with four replications and five plants per plot, and one per container. The factors studied were two doses of the polymer Hidroplan-EB®/HyB-M: 0 and 3 g L-1, two substrates: soil + manure in the ratio 3:1 (v / v) and Bioplant ®, and three intervals of water replacement: daily irrigation, irrigation in alternate days and irrigation every two days. To analyze the comparative effect of polymer incorporation to substrates, the evaluation was performed when the seedlings issued the first vine, which is the ideal stage for field planting. The polymer incorporation in the substrates provided higher seedling size, which was evidenced by the higher dry matter production. Furthermore, these seedlings even with lower irrigation frequency showed similar size to the seedlings that received daily irrigation and leaf area with higher capacity of dry mass production. Thus, irrigation of yellow passion fruit seedlings can be carried with less frequency, with an interval of one day, with the hydro absorbent polymer incorporation in both substrates. The formation of yellow passion fruit seedlings was anticipated in the substrates that had polymer incorporation, achieving adequate size for field planting before those produced without the polymer.
Passiflora edulis; hydrogel; soil conditioner; water retention
