Uso do albedo de maracujá(Passiflora edulis) no substrato para produção de mudas de espécies florestais

Abstract

The passion fruit (Passifloraedulis) is a spontaneous fruit of the tropical and subtropical zones of America and has Brazil as its major producer. It is much appreciated for several sweet and savory culinary products such as mousses, jellies, ice cream, popsicles, sauces and cakes. However, the white part between the pulp and the outer shell, called albedo, is usually discarded as waste or used as feed. The passion fruit albedo, rich in pectin, a gel-forming substance in contact with water, is able to associate with the soil, giving rise to a hydrogel with great water retention capacity. In a nursery, irrigation is one of the most important factors for the production of seedlings, and different efforts should be channeled to improve efficiency and avoid wasting water. However, little work has been done on substrate variation with this purpose, focusing on nutritional aspects or development of the root system of the seedlings. However, information on water use in forest nurseries is scarce, and irrigation management is indicated by empirical information such as visual examination of seedlings. The present study aimed to evaluate the addition of passion fruit albedo to the substrate for seedling production of five tree species: Caryocarbrasiliense, Corymbiacitriodora, Tamarindus, Annonasquamosa and Tectonagrandis, in the following proportions: soil with no addition of albedo; soil + 10% albedo; soil + 20% albedo; soil + 30% albedo; only + 40% albedo; in a randomized block experimental design, in a 5 x 5 factorial scheme, with five replications. The velocity of emergence (VE), velocity index of emergence (IVE) and final number of seedlings were measured at 60 days after sowing. The use of passion fruit albedo in the proportion of up to 20% of the volume provided better germination of the seeds, considerably reducing the amount of water to be used in the irrigation.