Controlled release fertilizer in the rooting and performance of clones of paratecoma peroba

Abstract

Paratecoma peroba is a native forest species of great economic and ecological interest, currently at risk of extinction. In addition to the difficulty of finding adult individuals of this species, plant production is limited, so the use of mini-cuttings can facilitate the spread of P. peroba. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyse the effect of different doses of controlled release fertilizer (CRF) on rooting, growth, photosynthetic metabolism and nutritional balance of P. peroba clones propagated by mini-cuttings. Five doses of CRF (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg.m-3) were tested, arranged in a completely randomized design with 12 repetitions and each repetition consisted of eight clones. Evaluations were carried out in the three stages of clones production: 1) Survival at 60 days in a greenhouse, 2) Rooting at 105 days in a shade house; and 3) Evaluation Productivity index, morphological variables, physiological metabolism, and nutritional through macronutrient contents, diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) indices and the average nutritional balance index of clones at 120 days in the area of hardening. There was no influence of CRF on survival and rooting of mini-cuttings. The CRF favoured a higher productivity index, vegetative growth and physiological activity of the clones. The 6 kg.m-3 dose was sufficient to obtain nutritionally balanced clones.