Soil contamination with copper has become common in the mining and agricultural regions by the use of copper-based-fungicide and application of liquid swine slurry to the soil, causing a reduction in plant productivity. Therefore, a study was undertaken to determine the effect of copper doses in growth and quality of Barbatimão (Stryphnodendron polyphyllum Mart.) and Cassia (Cassia multijuga Rich.) seedlings. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial (2 x 4) being the two forest species and four doses of copper: 0, 150, 300 and 450 mg kg-1, with 10 repetitions. It was evaluated plant height, stem diameter, dry weight of shoot and root length and specific root surface area, and the quality indexes of seedlings: relationship between shoot height and diameter of the collar; height and shoot dry weight of shoots and Dickson Quality Index. The results revealed that the copper doses tested does not change the quality of seedlings of Cassia and that Barbatimão maintains the quality of seedlings up to 300 mg kg-1 of copper added to soil. Barbatimão presents greater growth and quality than Cassia seedlings in soil contaminated with copper.
forest species; heavy metal; Dickson quality index
