Butia odorata(Barb.Rodr.) Noblick(pindo palm) is a palm tree native from southern Brazil, with a great demand for ornamental and agroindustry use. The objective of this study was to test the initial development of pindo palm seedlings in different substrate compositions inside containers. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse without temperature or humidity control. It was used seedlings at 60th day after germination, and substrates were tested in five proportions of carbonized rice husks and pine bark. After that, the effect of pH of the substrates was monitored on the growth of plants maintained in the same containers and treatments. Plants were distributed in equal number and representation of treatments in four groups with four levels of pH in the substrate (4.0; 4.9; 5.8 and 6.7). Ninety days after the beginning of the first stage and 161 days after the beginning of the second, the plants growth and the electrical conductivity and pH of the substrates were measured. Diference among treatments was found in the first state only for plant height and pH of the substrate, both directly related to the proportion of pine bark. On the second stage, substrate composition was decisive for the larger development of the seedlings. Only the number of leaves was not significantly different among treatments. However, for all variables, the presence of pine bark, even at low proportion was sufficient to promote vegetative growth.
Arecaceae; fertilization; native pal; Pindo palm; substrate
