Nursery and field growths of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seedlings produced in different containers and fertilizer doses

Abstract

Studies on the early development of forest species usually only analyze their nursery growth, not taking the post planting into account. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the survival and growth under nursery and field conditions of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seedlings produced with different container volumes and controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) doses. The treatments were composed of two containers volumes (110 and 180 cm3) with five CRF doses (0; 3; 5; 7; and 9 g L-1). At the nursery, at 150 days after sowing, the following attributes were evaluated: height (H); stem diameter (SD); shoot (SDM), root (RDM) and total dry matter (TDM); and Dickson quality index (DQI). At 360 days after the field planting, the survival, H and SD were measured. It was found interaction between factors for SD and significant effects of container volume for SDM, RDM, TDM and DQI. The maximum technical efficiency dose (MTED) of CRF in the nursery ranged from 6.50 to 9.74 g L-1. This allowed recommending the CRF dose for the fast seedling outplanting. The negative effects from base fertilization absence were identified on the seedlings field survival, yet there was no influence of the tested treatments on their growth 360 days after planting. For producing Enterolobium contortisiliquum seedlings, it is recommended using 110 cm3 containers with a CRF dose of 3 g L-1, which provides suitable performance on the outplanting and after it. However, doses above 7 g L-1 can reduce the seedlings nursery time in about six months after sowing.