Effect of urban waste compost and liming on initial growth of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Veil.) Morong seedlings

Substrate fertilization has been one of the main challenges for the production of seedlings of good quality and low cost in nurseries. Aiming to assess the effects of solid urban waste and liming in the initial growth of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Veil.) Morong cultivated in tubes, a greenhouse experiment was installed. The tubes were displayed in a complete randomized factorial design of 2x5, being the factors samples of the soil classified as "Latossolo vermelho distroferrico" (LV) without liming and with liming and five urban waste compost proportions(%): 0:100; 20:80; 40:60; 60:40 and 80:20, without complementary fertilization in five replications. An additional comparative treatment was composed of a mineral fertilizer recommended for production of woody species. Shoot height of the seedlings (H) and stem diameter (D) of the seedlings were evaluated 60 days after sowing and at the end of 120 days. The seedlings were then collected; a determination of the morphological parameters followed their relations, and Dickson Quality Indexes (IQD). The waste compost enhanced substrate fertility, increasing the pH, the amounts of P, K, Ca, Mg, organic matter and micronutrient contents. This fact allowed an increase of diameter and height of the plants, shoot dry matter and seedlings IQD. Such effects varied according to the proportions of compost used. The proportion of 80% of waste compost and 20% soil without liming was the best substrate to enhance E. contortisiliquum seedlings growth.