Vermicompost and Mycorrhizae Use on Cedrela odorata L. Growth in Nursery Conditions

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the effect of mycorrhizal inoculation and the use of vermicompost on the growth of red cedar (Cedrela odorata L.) seedlings under nursery conditions.

Materials and methods: the treatments were no inoculation and inoculation with Glomus intraradices, combined with different amounts of vermicompost in the growth substrate (0, 10, 20 and 30%), in a randomized complete block design. The variables evaluated plant height (AP), stem diameter (DT), number of leaves (NH), dry weight (PS), mycorrhizal colonization (CM) and number of spores (NE).

Results and discussion: The use of vermicompost in the growth substrate of the plants favored the growth of C. odorata seedlings, being the best treatment 30% of vermicompost without mycorrhiza. The percentage of mycorrhizal colonization and number of spores per 100g of soil decreased with increasing the amount of vermicompost in the substrate.

Conclusions: vermicompost was the main growth promoter of C. odorata plants under nursery conditions.