Alternative Substrates Formulated with Agro-Industrial Residues for Forest Species Seedling Production

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate different container sizes and substrates formulated with agro-industrial residues to produce Handroanthus heptaphyllus and Schinus terebinthifolius seedlings. The experiment had a completely randomized design with four replications (48 seedlings each), in a factorial scheme (containers × substrates), with two containers (110 and 180 cm3) and ten substrates (agro-industrial residues (crushed peach pits and peel rice) mixed with organic compost). Carbonized and hydrolyzed rice husk (CRH and HRH, respectively) were used. At 90 and 108 days after the emergence of the S. terebinthifolius and H. heptaphyllus seedlings, the morphophysiological attributes were evaluated. Considering the attributes evaluated in this study, the 180 cm3 container promoted more significant seedling growth for both species. Substrates containing up to 20% CRH, HRH, or crushed peach pits (CPP) are indicated for S. terebinthifolius, and those with up to 30% CRH or 10% HRH or CPP are indicated for H. heptaphyllus.