Abstract

BASAVE VILLALOBOS, Erickson et al. Plant quality of Cedrela odorata L. associated with nursery cultural practices. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.36, pp.65-80. ISSN 2007-1132.

In Mexico, many reforestations with Cedrela odorata have not had an initial favorable performance, mainly due to the use of low quality plants, so alternatives are required in forest nurseries to improve such condition. In this work the influence of container volume and hydrogel on the morphology, nutritional status and field performance of the seedlings of this species was examined. The volume of the container was managed at two levels: 500 mL polyethylene bag and 380 mL plastic cartridge; hydrogel, with three levels: addition of 0, 2 and 4 g L-1 of substrate. The characteristics of the seedlings were assessed at the nursery by determining several morphological indicators of plant quality and the use of nomograms of vector analysis for the diagnosis of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Field performance was measured as survival and growth for 17 months, since the establishment of the plantation. The seedlings with the best attributes were produced in containers of 500 mL with the addition of hydrogel to the substrate in doses of 4 gL-1; however, the best performance in the field corresponded to those produced in containers of 500 mL without hydrogel, which allows to conclude that the container volume has a direct effect on the quality of C. odorata plant.

Keywords : Red cedar; Cedrela odorata L.; forest plant production; reforestation; tropic; forest nursery.