Crescimento de xiquexique em diferentes niveis de NaCl em substratos fibra de coco e turfa

Abstract

Northeastern Brazil has a rich floristic diversity that has ornamental potential. The use of these species as ornamental plants combined with the study of production techniques of these plants may favor both their preservation in nature and the generation of income for family farmers. In this study, we analyzed the growth of xiquexique seedlings intended for ornamental use under the effect of different saline solutions and substrates. The seedlings, approximately 1 cm long, were submitted to five saline solutions (electric conductivity): S1 - control (0,0); S2 (1-1.3 dS.m-1); S3 (2-2.3 dS.m-1); S4 (3-3.3 dS.m-1) and S5 (4-4.4 dS.m-1), on substrate coconut fiber and soil peat. With 60 days after germination, the following parameters were analyzed: height of external plant, diameter above substrate level, root system length, total fresh mass, total dry mass and Dickson Quality Index. Xiquexique seedlings showed a decline in physiological growth as the salinity increase of irrigation water. In all evaluated parameters there was greater efficiency in the use of coconut fiber as substrate and without NaCl addition in irrigation water in the production of xiquexique seedlings. However, it was observed that higher salinity levels caused seedlings mortality in both substrates. It is concluded that for ornamental purposes it is possible to use saline water in the production of xiquexique seedlings, being recommended the use of peat for salinity up to 2-2,3 dS.m-1 and 1-1,3 dS.m-1 for coconut fiber as substrate.