ABSTRACT
Seedlings of açaí obtained from plant material native to floodplains (from Laranjeira and Muaná) and adapted to upland areas (cv. BRS-Pará and ecotype Hideo) were cultivated between March and October 2013 in a greenhouse, to test the hypothesis that water requirement for seedling production varies according to the origin of plant material. The seedlings were subjected to watering regimes corresponding to 40, 70, 100 and 130% of field capacity. Regardless of plant material, the production of vigorous seedlings was feasible only under irrigation of 100 and 130% of field capacity. The seedlings produced under 130% of field capacity showed higher plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, total leaf area, leaf and root biomass, total plant biomass and root/shoot ratio than those produced under 100% of field capacity. The former also showed higher net CO2 assimilation rate, lower stomatal conductance and transpiration and higher instantaneous water use efficiency. In conclusion, the water requirement to produce vigorous seedlings of açaí does not vary within plant material and more vigorous seedlings are produced under irrigation of 130% of field capacity.
Key words:
waterlogging; growth; water déficit; Euterpe oleracea
The data refer to the mean ± standard deviation (SD) of five replicates
The data refer to the mean ± standard deviation (SD) of five replicates
The data refer to the mean ± standard deviation (SD) of five replicates