Substrates for the Production of Passiflora setácea cv. BRS Pérola do Cerrado Seedlings

ABSTRACT

The substrate is essential to ensure suitable conditions for the growth of Passiflora setacea seedlings. Thus, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of alternative substrates formulated with bee nest and termite mound materials on the growth of P. setacea cv. BRS Pérola do Cerrado seedlings. Six substrate combinations formulated from different proportions (v:v) of bee nest material (BNM) and termite mound material (TMM) or commercial substrate were tested considering the randomized block design with four replicates. The following substrates were used: S1 = BNM_100%; S2 = BNM_75% + TMM_25%; S3 = BNM_50% + TMM_50%; S4 = BNM_25% + TMM_75%; S5 = TMM_100%; and S6 = commercial substrate (Click Mudas®). The plant height, stem diameter, root length, root dry matter (RDM), shoot dry matter (SDM), total dry matter (TDM), and morphological indices were measured. Passiflora setacea seedlings have better development with the use of substrates S1, S2, and S3, with greater emphasis on the substrate S1. The substrate S1 (100% BNM) should be recommended for the production of P. setacea cv. BRS Pérola do Cerrado seedlings, for improving plant development and providing higher quality seedlings.

KEYWORDS:

• Passion fruit
• alternative substrate
• organic matter
• cation exchange capacity
• base saturation