Acclimatization of micropropagated “Nanicão Williams” banana trees in different substrates and nutrient sources

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the development of micropropagated banana seedlings cv. Nanicão Williams in different substrates and  nutrients sources, in nursery acclimatization. The experiment was carried out in the Recycling and Composting Plant “José Santilli Sobrinho”, of the district of Assis in São Paulo state, Brazil. Three types of substrates (Soil, mix of soil plus commercial substrate Vivatto Slim®, and commercial substrate Vivatto Slim^®) and 3 sources of nutrients (bovine manure, castor bean cake and slow 14-14-14 release fertilizer) were used. A completely randomized design was used, with 9 treatments and 8 replications, totaling 72 observations. Each experimental unit was constituted by a micropropagated banana seedling cv. Nanicão Williams. It was observed that the commercial substrate Vivatto Slim^® and the slow-release 14-14-14 fertilizer can be used in the acclimatization process. However, the castor bean cake should not be used in the amount recommended in this study.