Mineral and organic fertilizers on the formation of soursop seedlings

Abstract

Substrates and appropriate fertilizers, as well as biological materials of superior genetic value are requested for high quality seedling formation. The present work was carried out at Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical, in Fortaleza City (Brazil), aiming to determine the influence of organic materials and slow release mineral fertilizers on the composition of substrates for the grafted soursop seedlings in small plastic tubes. Eleven treatments were tested, represented by three organic compounds (earth-worm compost, Vitasolo^® and Orgafil^®), three mineral fertilizers (Osmocote^®, Polyon^® and formulated) and two additional control (earth-worm compost and Vitasolo^®, both without mineral fertilization). The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design 3x3+2. The substrates with organic components fertilized and minerals improved the development of grafted soursop seedlings. The earth-worm compost fertilized with minerals showed superiority when compared with the commercial organic ones (Vitasolo^® and Orgafil^®) with its respective mineral fertilizers, except when fertilized with mineral Osmocote^®, which provided higher development associated with any organic component.