Abstract

DOMINGUEZ LIEVANO, Alexis et al. Substrates and fertilization to produce Swietenia macrophylla King and Tabebuia donnell-smithii Rose plants in trays. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2023, vol.14, n.77, pp.56-75.  Epub Aug 11, 2023. ISSN 2007-1132.  https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v14i77.1332.

Some forest nurseries in central and northern Mexico use substrates where the use of pine sawdust and extended release fertilizers is common; regional inputs reduce production costs and simplify plant nutrition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth of Swietenia macrophylla and Tabebuia donnell-smithii on two substrates: S1 (3:1:1 peat, perlite, vermiculite) and S2 (3:1:1 pine sawdust, perlite, vermiculite) combined with four doses (4, 6, 8, 10 g L-1) of Multicote® 18-6-12 fertilizer with four-month release micronutrients. The plant was grown in 24-cavity 150 mL rigid plastic trays for a period of 3.5 months. A completely randomized design with a 2×4 factorial arrangement (two substrates and four doses of fertilizer) was used. At 3.5 months, the morphological characteristics and N, P, and K content in plant foliage were evaluated. Both species showed significant differences (p≤0.05) by substrate type and fertilizer dose on diameter, height, aerial and root dry weight, as well as nutrient concentration. Plants produced in S1 were superior in most variables to those grown in S2. However, the sawdust-based substrate has the potential for the production of both taxa, which renders it a viable option as a substrate for obtaining plants within the medium-quality range.

Keywords : Morphological attributes; Chiapas; tropical rain forest; Soconusco; alternative substrates; tropical forest nurseries.

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