Estratégias para promover o crescimento de porta-enxerto de nogueira pecã (Carya illinoinensis)

Abstract

The pecan tree is a fruit tree; native to North American countries, its main product is its fruit, the pecan tree. In the last two decades in southern Brazil, the livestock chain has been developing. The production of quality seedlings is a major factor for the success of a profitable orchard. This work aimed to evaluate technologies to improve the development of pecan rootstocks. For this purpose, the tests performed are presented in three articles, described below. Article 1 entitled “Growth of pecan rootstocks with the use of liquid humus” aimed to evaluate the effect of different frequencies of applications of liquid humus on the growth and root development of pecan rootstocks in a system organic. It was found that the application of liquid humus every 7 days is efficient in the growth of secondary pecan roots, but the frequency of application doesn’t interfere with the development of the aerial part, in height and diameter of the rootstock. Article 2, “Pruning of roots and different containers on the growth of pecan rootstock in organic cultivation” aimed to assess the vegetative and root growth of the rootstock as a function of root pruning and different containers for the production of pecan seedlings in organic system. The containers and root pruning were found not to affect the trunk diameter, an important parameter for determining grafting. However, seedlings with a pruned root system and grown in a plastic bag develop a larger main root and shoot. Article 3, “Substrates for the cultivation of pecan rootstock” aimed to test different substrates, easily accessible and low cost for small producers that can be used in the formation of pecan rootstocks. It was found that Ecocitrus® substrate showed interesting results in the production of pecan rootstocks.