Production of papaya seedlings under thermal reflector screen and substrates

Abstract

The seedling production for orchards formation is little in Mato Grosso do Sul, mainly due to lack of information and research in this sector in the State. Given this scenario this study aimed to evaluate the production of papaya seedlings in the region of interface between the Cerrado and Pantanal. The experiment was conducted from August to November 2009. The seedlings were placed in two greenhouses, one with a thermal screen under polyethylene film and other without. Four substrates were tested in the environments: S1 - 20% of Organosuper® and 80% of the soil; S2 - 40% of Organosuper® and 60% of the soil; S3 - 60% of Organosuper® and 40% of the soil; S4 - 80% of Organosuper® and 20% of the soil. Data were submitted to individual variance analysis for substrates, followed by analysis of mean square residue and joint analysis of the experiments. The environment with screen promotes a higher rate of papaya seedling emergence. Substrates S1and S2 produce the best seedlings in the environment without a screen. Substrates S4 and S2 promote the best plants in the environment under the thermal reflector screen.