INITIAL GROWTH OF YELLOW PASSION FRUIT SEEDLINGS IN SUBSTRATE COMPOSED OF PULP MILL SLUDGE AND CATTLE MANURE

Abstract

In the last years, as interest in recycling and waste use has increased, many researchers have studied a wide range of potential substrates alternatives. Therefore, is possible that pulp mill sludge can be used as a substrate to seedlings production, while reducing costs. The aim was to evaluate the potential of using pulp mill sludge combined or not with cattle manure as an alternative substrate component for production of seedlings of yellow passion fruit. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in factorial 2 x 3 x 5 design, begin two cultivars (Yellow Maguary FB 100 and FB Master ® 200), three doses of N-P-K (0, 21.4 and 42.8 g plant-1) and five combinations of pulp mill sludge (PMS) and cattle manure (CM). Were used the following combinations: CM 100%, 25% PMS + 75% CM, 50% PMS + 50% CM, 75% PMS + 25% CM and PMS 100%, with four replicates. After 48 days were evaluated shoot and root length, number of leaves, stem diameter, shoot fresh and dry weight and root fresh and dry weight. Observed that increasing concentration of waste in the substrate caused significant damage to seedlings in both cultivars, probably due to nutrient imbalances, therefore is detrimental to the development of seedlings; the application of N-P-K, in the tested doses, is not sufficient to avoid adverse effects in the seedlings or to correct the balance nutritional of waste; and the cattle manure is the best option for the production of quality seedlings, in the conditions studied.