Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different substrates and environmentalconditions on seedling production of heliconia (Heliconia psittacorum L.) in Northeastern Brazil. A completely randomized blocks design with treatments distributed in a factorial arrangement (6 x 2) referring to substrate compositions and environmental condition to produce seedlings (open field and net-house) was used, with four replications. The following substrates were tested: (i) soil + sand + bovine manure (SSB); (ii) soil + sand + goat manure (SSG); (iii) decomposed buriti stem (Mauritia vinifera, Mart.) (DBS); (iv) Carnauba (Copernicia prunifera) industry residual + carbonized rice husks (CRR); (v) semi-decomposed residual of carnauba industry (RCI) and (vi) soil. Both substrate and environmental conditions affect seedling formation of heliconia. Decomposed buriti stem and semi-decomposed residual of carnauba industry could be used as substrate for high quality heliconia seedlings. Net-house is necessary for Heliconia seedlings production.

Key words: Heliconia psittacorum L., tropical flower, growing media, industry waste, net-house.