Growth and quality of seedlings from three species of Copernicia under different shadow conditions

Abstract

This work was carried out in order to evaluate the initial growth in different conditions of shadings of the species Copernicia alba, Copernicia hospita and Copernicia macroglossa. Initially the seed were soaked in water to a pre-germination, afterward were sowed in tubes (288 ml) filled with substrate (sandy loam + organic compost + vermiculite) in proportion 2:1:1 and kept in full sun, 30%, 50% e 70% shading. It was adopted the completely randomized design, with five repetitions (4 plants/repetition) and five periods of evaluation: 45, 90, 135, 180 and 225 days after sowing, with the factors disposed in a spli-splot measured over time (4 shading levels x 5 evaluation times). Each period of evaluation were measured the following variables: number of leaves, height, stem diameter, foliar area, dry mass of aerial parts and roots, Dickson of quality index. The seedling of Copernicia cultivated in full sun and 30% shading express positive effects in the initial growth with good quality. The largest leaf areas of the species were found in the environment with 30% shading. In face of these results, the obtained data are important and indispensable to establishment of seedling production of quality of Copernicia.

Keywords:
Palm trees; Seeds; Cultivation in tubes; Seedling production