Resposta de espécies nativas a diferentes substratos e tamanhos de semente

Abstract

Degraded soils exhibit compromised functional attributes due to alterations in their physical, chemical, and biological properties. This makes the restoration of areas with such characteristics a challenging endeavor, beginning with the selection of appropriate species. Several plant attributes can facilitate the restoration of degraded areas, one of which includes using seeds with a richer nutritional reserve. In an effort to guide species selection for restoration projects within the degraded regions of the Atlantic Forest, this study examined the influence of various substrates and seed sizes on germination, biomass acquisition, and plant species survival. The species used were Ceiba speciosa (A.St.-Hil.) Ravenna, Colubrina glandulosa Perkins, Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) L.P.Queiroz, and Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake. The hypotheses are that the commercial substrate and larger seeds will show the best results for the evaluated parameters. To test these hypotheses, seeds from four species of varying sizes were sown in tubes filled with different substrates: (degraded soil, degraded soil with phosphate fertilization, and commercial substrate Carolina Soil). After 53 days, emergence percentage, emergence speed index, average emergence time, biomass, and survival were measured. After 53 days, percentage of emergence, emergence speed index, mean emergence time, biomass, and survival rates were measured. Every variable, excluding survival, was influenced by the substrate type, with the commercial one providing the most positive responses. Seed size showed a positive relationship with biomass accumulation but was not a decisive variable in the emergence percentage, which was below 50%, except for Libidibia ferrea, which had a rate of 69.4% in the commercial substrate. Ceiba speciosa showed the lowest values in the degraded substrate, while Schizolobium parahyba had the highest and fastest height growth. Survival was above 85% for all species. L. Ferrea did not show significant variations between substrates, reflecting its robust nature.