ABSTRACT
The present study evaluated the effect of biostimulant (Cytokinin as kinetin 0.009%, Gibberellic acid 0.005%, and Indole-3-butyric acid 0.005%) on the development of three epiphyte species aiming their introduction on forest restoration management. Concentrations of 0, 4, 8, and 12 mL L-1 of bioestimulant Stimulate® were applied by leaf spray on Vriesea carinata Wawra (Bromeliaceae), Oncidium flexuosum Sims (Orchidaceae), and Rhipsalis paradoxa (Salm-Dyck ex Pfeiff.) Salm-Dyck (Cactaceae). Branches of Chorisia speciosa were used as phorophyte to support the plants. The parameters quality of anchorage, number of leaves, shoots, and roots, and dry matter of the roots and shoots were analyzed. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four treatments, three replications with five plants each, totalizing 15 plants per treatment for each species. Data were submitted to variance analysis and regression. The treatments 4 and 8 mL L-1 of biostimulant improved the number of leaves and plant diameter of V. carinata. The other parameters were not significant for the three species in all treatments evaluated. The bioestimulant on the experimental conditions had no significant responses on growth and development of roots and anchorage quality for the species, with stimulus of shoots growth on V. carinata and O. flexuosum. The growth stimulus of the shoot and the easy, fast, and low cost of the application of biostimulant, enable its use to optimize the transplanting of epiphytic plants for forest restoration.
Keywords:
Atlantic Rain Forest; epiphytic; Stimulate
