OPTIMIZATION OF THE INITIAL GROWTH OF JATOBÁ SEEDLINGS WITH THE COMBINED USE OF HYDROGEL AND OSMOCOTE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24278/rif.2026.38e977Abstract
The use of inputs that optimize water and nutrient availability in the substrate can favor the initial growth of native forest species in nurseries. This study evaluated the initial growth and nutrition of Hymenaea courbaril L. seedlings under two levels of hydrogel and two levels of osmocote®, applied in combination. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial scheme, with two hydrogel levels (3 g and 4 g per plant), two osmocote® levels (4 g and 6 g per plant), and a control (no inputs applied). Morphological and nutritional variables were assessed, including plant height, collar diameter, dry mass, Dickson Quality Index, nutrient levels in the substrate, and nutrient accumulation in plant tissues. The treatment T2 (3 grams of hydrogel + 6 grams of fertilizer) provided the best morphological results. However, treatment T1 (3 grams of hydrogel + 4 grams of fertilizer) showed similar performance while using a lower amount of inputs, highlighting its superiority in terms of economic efficiency. On the other hand, treatment T4 (4 grams of hydrogel + 6 grams of fertilizer), despite resulting in greater nutrient absorption, did not lead to significantly higher growth. The results indicate that nutrient use efficiency is more decisive for seedling performance than absolute nutrient uptake. The combined application of hydrogel and osmocote® proved to be an effective and promising strategy for H. courbaril seedling production in environments with water and nutrient limitations, with treatment T1 (3 grams of de hydrogel + 4 grams of fertilizer) being recommended as the most balanced option in terms of performance and cost-benefit.
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