Quality improvement of papaya seedlings with residues-based substrate

The search for quality and low cost substrates for the production of high quality seedlings contributes to the competitiveness of pomology. Thus, it was objectified in the work on alternative substrates composed of residues, for the production of papaya seedlingsFor this, five treatments were used, which consisted of alternative substrates containing the residues: (1) Carbonized Rice Peel; (2) Coconut fiber; (3) Ouricuri; (4) Sumauma and commercial substrate (control) arranged in a randomized block design with four blocks. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse for 60 days and evaluated: diameter, height, root dry mass, aerial part and and Dickson's quality score.The substrates containing kapok and charcoal rice husk as conditioner were the ones that presented the best indexes for the analyzed variables. Thus substrates formed by these residues present seedlings of superior quality.