Production of sweet pepper seedlings using Salvinia minima as alternative substrate

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the production of sweet pepper seedlings using macrophyte Salvinia minima and charcoal as alternative substrate. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse at UFAC, municipality of Rio Branco, Acre. Seeds for seedling production were obtained from accessions in the municipality of Rio Branco. Design was completely randomized with five treatments and six replicates composed of the following proportions: 100% commercial substrate (100% cs); 100% Salvinia minima (100% Sm); 80% Salvinia minima + 20% charcoal (80% Sm + 20% ch); 60% Salvinia minima + 40% charcoal (60% Sm + 40% ch), and 40% Salvinia minima + 60% charcoal (40% Sm + 60% ch). Variables evaluated were: plant height (PH), neck diameter (ND), shoot dry mass (SDM), root dry mass (RDM) and Development Quality Index (DQI). Evaluations were carried out at 54 days after sowing. There was positive effect of substrate on seedling height, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, total dry matter and Development Quality Index. There was no significant effect on neck diameter. The use of Salvinia minima and charcoal promotes better production of sweet pepper seedlings.