Influence of Different Concentrations of Vermicompost in the Development of Eucalyptus and Pine Seedlings

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of meat waste and cattle manure vermicomposting in the development of eucalyptus and Pinus seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with eight treatments with seven repetitions. The treatments were: 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of cattle manure added to meat waste, both vermicomposted, and 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of the vermicompost added to commercial substrate. Stem height and diameter, shoot and root dry mass, specific surface area, Dickson quality index and the ratio between stem height and diameter were assessed. Addition of 20% and 40% of vermicompost in eucalyptus seedling cultivation promotes similar development and quality obtained with addition of 100% of commercial substrate. Pinus seedlings are not influenced by the proportions of vermicompost tested.