Quality of Heliconia psittacorum seedlings grown on different substrates

Abstract

The production of good seedlings depends on the quality of the matrix and propagation techniques used. In choosing a substrate should be particularly observed physical and chemical characteristics. The objective of this study was to assess the development and vigor of heliconia seedlings from Heliconia psittacorum species, grown on different substrates and mixtures. The materials that form the treatments were: burnt rice husk (RHB), vermiculite (VC), sugarcane waste burnt (SWB), subsoil (S), chicken bedding (CB), cattle manure (CM), earthworm humus (EH), coconut husk powder (CSP) and Horticultural Plantmax (HP). The treatments chosen were: 1( ⅔ CM + ⅓ CSP), 2( ⅔CM + ⅓RHB), 3( ⅔CB + ⅓ SWB), 4(CSP), 5(½VC+ ½SWB), 6(⅔ S + ⅓ CB), 7(⅓CM + ⅔SWB), 8(⅔ CM + ⅓SWB), 9(⅔CB + ⅓RHB), 10(⅓CM + ⅔RHB), 11(⅓CB + ⅔SWB), 12(⅔CB + ⅓CSP), 13(⅔EH + ⅓CSP), 14(⅔EH + ⅓SWB), 15(⅓CB + ⅔RHB), 16(⅓EH + ⅔SWB), 17(⅔EH + ⅓RHB), 18( ½VC + ½RHB), 19(S), 20(⅔ S + ⅓ CM), 21(⅔ S + ⅓ EH), 22(EH), 23(HP), 24(⅓EH + ⅔RHB). Samples of all treatment compositions were taken and carried out chemical and physical analysis. A set of ten treatments (1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, 16, 20 and 22) basically consisting of CM EH, RHB, CSP and SWB produced the best seedlings and treatment with CB as a main component or not produced the worst seedlings due to high electrical conductivity