CRESCIMENTO DE MUDAS DE Anacardium othonianum SOB DIFERENTES SUBSTRATOS

Abstract

The Cerrado biome harbors a unique biodiversity, including native species such as the Cerrado cashew tree, which has great economic and ecological potential. The production of high-quality seedlings of this species depends on suitable substrates, rich in organic matter and nutrients, such as bovine and chicken manure, which improve the physicochemical conditions and favor plant growth. Therefore, this study evaluated the initial growth of Cerrado cashew seedlings cultivated in different substrates. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using five treatments: control substrate (sand), soil and sand, commercial substrate, soil + sand + bovine manure, and soil + sand + chicken litter. The treatment with commercial substrate resulted in greater emergence of Cerrado cashew seedlings. The use of commercial substrate also resulted in a greater number of leaves on seedlings and a lower number of dead seedlings. The results highlight the importance of substrates enriched in organic matter and with balanced physicochemical properties for the production of high-quality seedlings.