Influence of different compositions of substrates on the formation of the soursop (Annona muricata L.) rootstock

Abstract

- The cultivation of soursop fruit has emerged as one of the best alternatives for investing in the fruit business in the northeast of Brazil due to the increasing demand for fresh fruit and, especially, for agribusiness purposes. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of different substrate blends on the rootstock growth of soursop (Annona muricata L.). The treatments consisted of seven mixtures formulated with the substrates commercial vermiculite, carbonized rice peel, carnauba straw, ripe coir dust, and worm humus. Plus, two substrates applied individually: commercial vermiculite and commercial “Plugmix”. The experiment was installed as a completely randomized design with nine treatments, five replicates, and twenty plants per parcel. Germination speed rate, germination percentage, rootstock height, number of leaves, stem diameter, substrate aggregation, easiness to take plantlet out from tube, leaf area, shoot dry matter weight, and root dry matter weight were evaluated. It was observed that the subtracts applied did not affect germination speed rate, nor germination percentage. The mixtures containing commercial vermiculite, carnauba straw and/or worm humus presented better results in comparison with other substrates. In fact, these substrates have been proved to be the best option for the development of soursop rootstock.