Methods of applying pyroligneous extract to initial growth of Handroanthus impetiginosus seedlings
biochar, forest seedling quality, seedling production, vigor
Knowing new perspectives on the use of products from the forest is of great importance for the forestry sector. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate different methods of applying pyroligneous extract (PE) on the initial growth of Handroanthus impetiginosus seedlings. EP was incorporated into the substrate in different proportions of biochar (B) + commercial substrate (S) and biochar enriched with pyroligneous extract (BP) + commercial substrate (S), the proportions of 20%B + 80%S were used. (BS20), 20%BP + 80%S (BPS20), 30%B + 70%S (BS30) and 30%BP + 70%S (BPS30). The second test was carried out after seedling emergence with application of EP at concentrations of 0; 0.2; 0.4 and 0.6% using two methods: application directly to the substrate; and foliar spraying. It was found that EP application methods interfere with the initial growth of seedlings. The use of EP incorporated into the substrate provided inferior results for the variables height and relationship between dry mass of the shoot and dry mass of the root. The use of EP after seedling emergence, both when incorporated directly into the substrate and in the foliar spray method, provided an increase in seedling height in all concentrations tested, differing only from the control treatment.