Organic substrates and formononetin for Leucaena leucocephala saplings

Abstract

To obtain quality saplings it is necessary to consider the requirements the plants have for a balanced nutriente intake. These can be made available from organic waste which, in many cases, is simple to acquire and can be recycled easily. Consequently, the current study evaluated the potential of organic substrates and formononetin for the production of Leucaena leucocephala seedlings. Experiments were carried out in a greenhouse, using a fully randomized experimental design, in a factorial arrangement (5 x 2), with five soil proportions: organic compound (100: 0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20 : 80) and two doses (0 and 1.0 mg per seed) of the isoflavonoid formononetine (7-hydroxy-4’-methoxy-isoflavone, Myconate®). After 60 days of sowing, shoot height, stem diameter, shoot height ratio, shoot diameter, number of nodules, aerial dry mass (ADM), root dry mass (RDM), total dry matter and Dickson Quality Index (DQI) of the Leucaena leucocephala seedlings were evaluated. Formononetin positively influenced dry root and total dry mass production, and the Dickson Quality Index of Leucaena leucocephala seedlings. A substrate with 46% soil and 54% organic compound gave the highest seedling DQI, this thereforee being the recommended proportions for this specieds during the initial growth phase.

Keywords

• Composto de lixo urbano. Isoflavonóide. Resíduos de Agave sisalana.