Sources and proportions of manure in the substrate composition for production of jackfruit seedlings

Abstract

The success in the seedling production depends on several factors, including the appropriate substrate formulation. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the production of jackfruit seedlings on substrates made with sand and manure from goats, sheep or cattle. The experiment was conducted between  February and May 2010 at the Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, RN. The greenhouse had a 50% shade density. The treatments were distributed following factorial design: three sources (goat, sheep or cattle) and four proportions (0, 25, 50 and 75%, v/v) mixed with sand. The seeds were  sown in black polyethylene bags measuring 25 x 15 cm (length and width) filled with 4.5 L of substrate. Increasing proportions of manure in the substrate  affected linear and negatively plant growth. The substrate with sheep manure was less harmful in relation to the others containing cattle or goat manure. In the production of jackfruit seedlings, it is not recommended to use manure substrates composed of goat, sheep or cattle manure mixed with sand, regardless of the ratio.