Abstract:
Erythroxylum pauferrense Plowman is an understory species native to Brazil, with great importance in the conservation of genetic resources and is used as a food source for animals in the regions where the species occurs. The species is currently listed in category EN (endangered). The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different substrates on the emergence and initial growth of E. pauferrense. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment, belonging to the Plant Ecology Laboratory of the Federal University of Paraíba, Areia-PB, Brazil. The substrates used were: sand; sand + vermiculite in the proportion of 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3; vegetal land; vegetal land + sand in the proportion of 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3; vegetal land + vermiculite in the proportion of 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3; vermiculite; Bioplant®; and Bioplant® + sand in a ratio of 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 16 treatments (substrates) and four replications of 25 seeds. The percentage of emergence, first count, speed index, mean time, mean speed and relative emergency frequency were evaluated. The vermiculite substrate provided the best results for carrying out the emergence and vigor tests of E. pauferrense seedlings, being the most suitable substrate to initial growth seedlings of the species.
Keywords:
forest species; Erythroxylaceae; germination; growth; vigor
HIGHLIGHTS
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The substrates provided different responses for seedling emergence.
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The use of sand and commercial substrate is not indicated for the emergence.
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Vermiculite increases the emergence rates of E. pauferrense.