Provenances and fertilizer on early growth cedar seedlings

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the initial development of different provenances and the influence of base fertilizer and coverage on growth of Cedrela fissilis seedlings. Provenances of seeds were collected in Lapa, PR, Fernandes Pinheiro, PR and Itaara, RS. After germination, the seedlings were transplanted to plastic bags of 500 cm³, filled with commercial substrate. Total height (h), stem diameter (sd), and ratio h/sd seedlings were measured after 150 days of transplanting. Seedlings of Fernandes Pinheiro received basic fertilization after transplantation (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g dm^-3  Osmocote^®) and cover (3 and 6 g L^-1, respectively, of Peter´s^® and urea). The provenance and doses of controlled-release fertilizer influenced early development of Cedrela fissilis seedlings. Itaara provenance showed better seedlings growth. Cedar seedlings showed good growth when incorporated into the substrate 5 g dm^-3 Osmocote® and, in addition, applied in topdressing 3 g L^-1 of Peter´s^®. Urea topdressing is rarely recommended for cedar seedlings.