NEW COMMERCIAL SUBSTRATES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DWARF-CASHEW SEEDLINGS

Abstract

New commercial substrates are being commercialized in the metropolitan region of Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. Local nurseries are demanding information about the possibility of using them for the production of dwarf-cashew seedlings. Thus, the substrates most commonly found in metropolitan region were tested, initially for production of rootstock 'CCP 06' and later for production of grafted seedlings clone 'BRS 226'. In both phases there was no addition or application of fertilizers. The results showed that four substrates allowed the obtaining of rootstocks and clonal seedlings with greater total dry matter mass, that indicates the major quality. However, in the post-grafting phase, the plants cultivated all substrates were light leaves than the standard, therefore a foliar fertilizer was applied in the final phase. At 45 days after spray, the foliar levels of all macronutrients and some micronutrients were within the sufficiency range, while the foliar contents of Fe and Mn remained well below the adequate range. Thus, will be necessary nutritional supplementation with Fe and Mn when fwhen using these substrates.