Use of agro-industry residues as substrate for the production of Euterpe precatoria seedlings

ABSTRACT The availability of single assai palm (Euterpe precatoria) seedlings with good quality is a fundamental requirement to expand the cultivation of the species. This study aimed to assess the use of fruit agro-industry residues as substrate for producing single assai seedlings. The experiment was carried out under nursery conditions, in a completely randomized design, with four replications and eight plants per plot. Fifteen treatments were evaluated: a commercial substrate, four dry and crushed agro-industrial residues (Brazil nut shell, acerola pit, assai pit and cupuassu peel) and ten combinations of these materials in the proportion of 1:1. The following variables were also measured: shoot height; stem diameter; number of leaves; shoot, root and total dry mass; and Dickson Quality Index score. The substrate formulated with Brazil nut shell + acerola pit stood out for promoting a higher growth and dry biomass, resulting in seedlings with a better quality. The pure assai pit residue was not efficient for producing seedlings, but it showed a good potential when mixed in equal proportion with other materials (e.g. Brazil nut shell and cupuassu peel).