Production of 'cortibel' group guava seedlings on different substrates

The guava (Psidium guajava L.) belongs to the family Myrtaceae, it originates of Tropical America and it is distributed throughout the Brazilian territory. The production phase of the seedlings it is fundamental importance in the productive process, because seedlings better quality directly influence in success and final production. For this, it is made necessary to use substrates that meet the exigencies of the culture. In this way, the objective was to evaluate the germination of 'Cortibel' guava seeds and initial development of the plants in different substrates. The seeds were withdrawals of fruits guava physiologically ripe of the Cortibel cultivar, were then washed and air dried, next were planted in 1,5 L bags drilled, in September 2017 on two types of substrate (sand and commercial substrate Bioplant®) the sacks being kept in a screened nursery with 60% light interception. The design was completely randomized, with the substrates composing the treatments (washed sand and commercial substrate Bioplant®) and nine replications. Each replicate was formed by five bags totaling 45 experimental units for each treatment. In each perforated bag containing the treatments (substrates) were placed 5 seeds. Germination was accompanied along the throughout experimental period and at 129 days after sowing (DAS) was the period in which emergence of seedlings occurred. It was characteristics plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves were evaluated. The sand substrate provided a higher germination rate in relation to the Bioplant® substrate, however, the use of the Bioplant® commercial substrate presented higher initial development, with higher values of plant height and stem diameter, being the substrate indicated for the production of seedlings of guava 'Cortibel' by seeds.