ABSTRACT
The objective of this research was to determine the growth pattern of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and E. urophylla seedlings produced in tubes and pressed blocks, with the following growing substrate: 1) sugarcane bagasse + filter cake (3:2; v:v), 2) sugarcane bagasse + filter cake (3:2; v:v) + 0,6% N (urea), and 3) decomposed eucalyptus bark + vermiculite (7:3; v:v). The seedlings were evaluated in relation to the following characteristics: height, root collar diameter, leaf area, shoot and root dry weight and the nutrient contents of the shoot. After planting it was evaluated the survival in the first two months, height growth and diameter at the soil level every other month. Compared to the seedlings grown in tubes, seedlings grown in pressed blocks showed superior quality, in all characteristics measured and in the field. In the nursery, decomposed eucalyptus bark + vermiculite was the best growing substrate. However, except the E. urophylla height, all other characteristics measured in the field as well as in E. camaldulensis did not differ among the growing substrata. Sugarcane bagasse + filter cake was not a good growing substrate for these species, but with 0,6% N, this mixture provides seedlings with desirable field performance, when under pressed blocks system.
Key works:
container; substrate; seedling quality; eucalypti.
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