EFEITO DE DIFERENTES SUBSTRATOS NO DESENVOLVIMENTO DO MANDACARU SEM ESPINHOS (Cereus hildemannianus K. Schum)

Abstract

Different substrates were tested, aiming to verify the ones that provided better development conditions for the mandacaru without thorns (Cereus hildemannianus K. Schum.). The work was carried out in the period from January to December 2005 in room temperature at Embrapa Semi-Árido, Petrolina, Pernambuco State, Brazil. A randomized blocks design, in a 5 X 3 factorial with five treatments and four replications, was used. The treatments consisted of five different substrate compositions and three plant types. Bud number, length, weight and dry matter of the flowers, besides weight, length and diameter of the roots were evaluated 360 days after planting. The substrates composed by sand, soil and cattle manure, presented the highest percentages of mandacaru buds growth.