Substrates alternative enable seedlings production in implantation of cynoDon spp. Tifton 85

Tifton 85 is a promising pasture propagated only by vegetative method, which requires technologies for production of seedlings and deployment of pastures. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate alternative substrates for the production of Tifton 85 seedlings. The experiment was conducted under completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications. The studied treatments were: fresh wood shavings, decomposed wood shavings, decomposed wood shavings+soil, carbonized rice husk, soil and commercial substrate. The cuttings were obtained from developed plants of Tifton 85 and deployed in pre-filled polyethylene trays of cells with substrates studied. In substrates measured the carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and the ratio carbon to nitrogen (C: N), as well as the survival percentages at 15; 30 and 45 days and plant height at 30 and 45 days after implantation. In transplanting, at 45 days evaluated the dry weight of shoot and root system and its relation. In the field the seedlings were evaluated the percentage of survival set after transplanting. The wood shavings treated by composting method stood out for use in the production of seedlings of Tifton 85, as it presented the best C: N ratio (18: 1) and high survival rates in seedling production.