Comparison of different containers in the production of seedlings of vetiver grass for erosion control

Abstract

Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash) is a perennial grass used in the recovery of degraded areas, mainly to control erosion. The use of containers in the production of seedlings of many species, including vetiver grass, has been employed to reach a faster root system formation and better nutritional and plant health control. The objective of this study was to compare the seedling development of vetiver grass in different containers in order to be later used in riverbank erosion control. An assay was carried out at the campus of Universidade Federal de Sergipe, located in the municipality of São Cristóvão from February to April of 2010. Containers of plastic bags and plastic tubes were tested with volumes of 700 cm³ and 280 cm³, respectively, in a completely randomized design (CRD). The specie development was evaluated at intervals of fifteen days over two months. The plastic tubes treatment showed the highest means data for root density (RD), root length density (RLD), root numbers (N), and external root surface (S). The suitable period for the best root system development, under the experimental conditions, was from 30 to 45 days.