Alternative substrates for the production of clonal Coffea canephora seedlings

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of coffee husk, elephant grass, and sugarcane alone or combined with each other or with commercial compounds, as well as their use as substrate for the production of clonal Coffea canephora seedlings. The experiment was carried out in two stages: one for the physicochemical characterization of the substrates, and the other for evaluations of the growth of coffee seedlings in these substrates. In the first stage, the treatments consisted of coffee husk (CH), elephant grass (EG), sugarcane (SC), commercial substrate (CS), vermiculite (VM), and their combinations. In the second stage, the standard substrate (soil) was also evaluated. CH presented a high electrical conductivity and density and a low aeration space and available water. SC stood out for its lower pH and density and its greater porosity. SC and EG were viable for coffee seedling production, not differing from the commercial and standard substrates. With the exception of CH+EG, CH+CS, and EG+SC, the combined substrates allowed of a greater seedling growth than the isolated ones. CH was only viable as a substrate when combined, especially with VM. Combining CH, SC, and EG to the standard substrate improves the quality of clonal C. canephora seedlings.