Uso do hidrogel e da fibra de coco para o crescimento das espécies utilizadas em reflorestamento

Abstract

The use of alternative techniques for planting in reforestation areas in the northeastern semiarid is essential, as the region is very peculiar with low precipitation, high temperatures and low relative humidity. The practices, to increase the humidity in the planting, are still scarce, mainly with the use of hydrogel and coconut fiber. Thus, the objective of this work was to verify whether hydrogel and coconut fiber contribute to the survival and growth of native seedlings in the field. The study was carried out on a rural property close to the Itaparica dam and São Francisco river, in the municipality of Petrolândia, State of Pernambuco. Fifteen individuals of each species were selected: braúna, catingueira, aroeira do sertão, monkfish and umbuzeiro.The design used in randomized blocks, with five replications and three treatments: control, coconut fiber and hydrogel, totaling 75 experimental units. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means compared by Tukey's test at 5% probability and simple linear regression with the variables studied. Data collection performed every 15 days in the field, for a period of 90 days, in which plant height, crown and neck diameter were evaluated. The species responded well, with a high survival rate (93,33%). The best species in height growth: catingueira (69,30% and 59,32%) and umbuzeiro (43,86% and 60,54%), respectivament, in hydrogel and coconut fiber treatments. These results are related to good moisture retention in the soil, which favored the growth of the seedlings. The catingueira had the largest canopy diameter in the three treatments, with hydrogel being the best treatment (31,53%) and the worst for umbuzeiro (5,75%) and monkfish (4,92%). In the variable neck diameter, umbuzeiro had the best result (7,25%) in coconut fiber and in hydrogel in catingueira (6,99%). The catingueira and umbuzeiro seedlings showed better growth in the studied variables, which guarantees a good survival of the species.