QUALITY OF EUCALYPTUS SEEDLINGS AS A FUNCTION OF SUBSTRATES AND CONTROLLED-RELEASE FERTILIZATION

For the production of quality seedlings, depending on the physical characteristics of each substrate, more rational nutritional managements, from the of economic-environmental point of view, should be sought. This study aimed to evaluate the development and quality of Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla seedlings in terms of substrates and doses of controlled-release Osinocote (R) fertilizer. The experiment was conducted with a completely randomized, factorial design, using as substrates: vermiculite+carbonized rice chaff+coconut fiber (1:1:1); vermiculite+coconut fiber (1:1) and vermiculite+coconut fiber (2:1) and doses of 2, 4, 6 and 8kg.n(2-3) of substrate. The substrates with higher water holding capacity allow seedlings to reach their maximum development in most parameters using lower doses of controlled-release fertilizer. We recommend the application of the controlled-release fertilizer at a dose of 6.0kg-m(-3) in vermiculite+carbonized rice chaff+coconut fiber (1:1:1) and vermiculite+coconut fiber (2:1) substrates, and in substrate vermiculite+coconut fiber (1:1) at a dose of 7.0kg-m(-3). In each substrate there is a dose range that promotes a greater formation of suitable root systems for planting in the field, which consequently results in seedlings with greater morphological development at nursery.