Germination and Initial Seedling Growth of Schizolobium amazonicum on Different Substrates and Irrigation Depths

Abstract

Abstract Due to the good silvicultural characteristics of Schizolobium amazonicum (parica) and its versatility (planting and use), the species has become an alternative in commercial exploitation. Aiming to verify the influence of irrigation depth and substrate on the germination and growth of Parica seedlings, a greenhouse experiment was conducted using randomized blocks in a 2 × 4 bifactorial scheme, with two types of substrates (washed sand and commercial substrate) and four irrigation depths corresponding to 50%, 100%, 150% and 200% of the reference evapotranspiration (ETo), with five replications. Germination rate, emergency speed index and biometric variables were evaluated. The commercial substrate combined with the irrigation level of 50% of ETo favored a higher emergence speed and germination rate. In the growing phase, the irrigation level of 150% of ETo combined with the commercial substrate produced better results, indicating greater survival and development in the field.