Vigor of Java Plum Seedlings, in the Presence and Absence of Mucilage Submitted to Different Substrates

Abstract

Java plum (Syzygium cumini L. Skeels) originates from Asia and has adapted very well to soil conditions and climate in Brazil, becoming spontaneous in the Northeast region. Still, there is no large commercial production in the country, since information related to planting, plant management, post-harvest management, and fruit processing is limited and vague. The production of quality seedlings depends on several factors, and the composition of the substrates is a factor of great importance, because the germination of the seeds, the beginning of the roots and the rooting are directly linked to the constitution of the substrate. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the Tocantins, at a city of Gurupi/TO. For this, Java plum seeds were used directly removed from the fruits, which were collected in the same period. The substrates used were: Washed Sand; Black Soil; Black Soil + Worm Humus + Commercial Substrate and Commercial Substrate + Washed Sand + Pine Bark, in the presence and absence of mucilage. The highest values of root length and length of shoot, in the presence and absence of mucilage, were obtained in the substrates of BS (10 and 13 cm) (8.7 and 9.3 cm), BS + WH + CS (9.3 and 12.4 cm) (8.2 and 9.5 cm) and CS + WS + PB (9 and 11 cm) (8.6 and 10.6 cm), respectively. Regarding the first emergency count and seedling emergence, once again the CS + WS + PB (20 and 56.2%) (51.2 and 90%), in the presence and absence of mucilage, respectively. It was concluded that the removal of the mucilage in Java plum seeds provided better performance in all substratum and the commercial substrate + washed sand + pine bark provided greater viability and vigor.