CATTLE MANURE AS AN ALTERNATIVE SUBSTRATE IN THE PRODUCTION OF AÇAÍ CULTIVAR BRS-PARÁ SEEDLINGS

Abstract

Among the residues from the agricultural sector, the potential use of bovine manure in the composition of substrates turned out to be the production of better quality açaí seedlings, given their importance both economically and as a subsistence factor for many families, was aimed at evaluating the production of BRA-Pará açaí seedlings in different proportions of alternative substrates based on bovine manure. The experiment was carried out from March to June 2019, with açaí BRS-Pará cultivar in a greenhouse with 70% light interception. Seed 72 Açaizeiro seeds were planted, the experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments, 4 replicates and 3 seeds per plot. The treatments were consisted of different alternative substrate formulations: I) control (100% soil); II) 20% bovine manure + 80% soil and sand mixture (1: 1); III) 40% bovine manure + 60% soil and sand mixture (1: 1); IV) 60% bovine manure + 40% soil and sand mixture (1: 1); V) 80% bovine manure + 20% soil and sand mixture (1: 1); VI) 100% bovine manure. It was verified that there was a small difference between the treatments analyzed with addition of an alternative substrate in comparison with the control and the other proportions, however the cattle manure can be used as a substrate in the production of BRA-Pará variety seedlings if it is widely available in the region, as it allows an increase in the development of the root system and aerial part, providing essential nutrients, greater aeration and increase in the biometric characteristics of the seedlings. The use of an alternative substrate based on bovine manure in the proportion of 20% of EB + 80% of soil is recommended because it presents the best results for most of the variables analyzed.