BASE FERTILIZATION COMPENSATION AS A METHODOLOGY FOR COMPARISON OF CONTAINERS VOLUMES

The current methodology for comparing the volumetric capacity of containers does not make it possible to differentiate the effects caused by the higher concentration of fertilizers, available by volume of container, from the real effect of the growth space and fertilization. The fertilization compensation aims to correct the effect of the concentration of fertilizers, guaranteeing the same proportion of fertilization in different volumetric capacities of containers, making it possible to be a new methodology for the production of forest seedlings. The methodological proposal was applied to the production of Handroanthus ochraceus seedlings, testing two volumetric capacities, 55 and 115 cm³, of containers, of the tube type and six doses of controlled release fertilizer, namely: 0.19; 0.24; 0.30; 0.40; 0.51, and 0.63 g / tube in a completely randomized design with four replications. The height and diameter of the collection were evaluated biweekly up to 150 days after sowing and the dry matter of the aerial and root parts. The results demonstrate that regardless of the volumetric capacity of the container, the highest doses of fertilizer resulted in greater morphological characteristics. Therefore, the effect responsible for the differential growth between the volumetric capacity of the containers, normally attributed to the greater space available for root development, is actually attributed to the greater availability of nutrients, which the fertilization compensation aims to keep constant. It was concluded that the use of basic fertilization compensation proved to be efficient for comparisons between volumetric container capacities

PHYSIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF FOREST SEEDS REGARDING THE DESICCATION TOLERANCE AND STORAGE BEHAVIOUR

This work aims to classify forest seeds native to the Alto Rio Grande region regarding the desiccation tolerance and storage behaviour. Germination and water content tests were performed in seeds of different species. The tests were conducted immediately after seed processing, at 12% and 5% of water content, and at 5% after 3 months of storage in -18°C. Based on the results obtained, seeds were classified into recalcitrant, intermediate and orthodox class. Seeds of Brosimum gaudichaudii, Erythroxylum deciduum, Eugenia pleurantha, Myrcia venulosa, Nectandra megapotamica were classified as recalcitrant (22.7% of all species). Seeds of Aegiphila sellowiana, Aspidosperma parvifolium, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Casearia lasiophylla, Cassia occidentalis, Dalbergia miscolobium, Diospyros brasiliensis, Diospyros hispida, Ilex brevicuspis, Ilex cerasifolia, Myrocarpus fastigiatus, Senna aversiflora, Senna splendida e Blepharocalyx salicifolius were classified as intermediate (59.1% of all species). Seeds of Miconia albicans, Platycyamus regnellii, Styrax camporum and Piptadenia gonoacantha were classified as orthodox (18.2% of all species)