Alternatives substrates in the production of seedlings of Himatanthus sucuuba (Spruce ex Müll. Arg.) Woodson, Apocynaceae

Abstract

The species Himatanthus sucuuba belongs to the Apocynaceae family, has great economic interest, due to the arboreal-landscape and herbal values attributed to latex. The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of alternative substrates in the production of sucuuba seedlings. The experiment was carried out in the forest nursery of the Technology Foundation of the State of Acre, from April to August 2020. The experimental design used was completely randomized, with four treatments and ten replications. The treatments were the formulation of four substrates: organic compost of signal grass, organic compost + chestnut peel flour, organic compost + chestnut peel and the commercial substrate. The evaluated parameters were: seedling height, stem diameter, leaf area, shoot, root and total dry mass, and Dickson's quality index was calculated. The organic compost provided seedlings with greater height, diameter and leaf area. Dickson's quality index was higher in organic compost, organic compost + chestnut flour and organic compost + chestnut peel substrates. The use of organic compost, chestnut flour and chestnut peel have the potential to be used in the production of Himatanthus sucuuba seedlings.