GROWTH PROMOTION OF GENETICALLY IMPROVED Pinus taeda SEEDLINGS BY INOCULATION WITH SPECIES OF Bacillus

ABSTRACT This study was carried on evaluating effects of inoculation with Bacillus species and generations of genetically improved seeds on Pinus taeda growth in nursery conditions. Two experiments, based on distinct inoculation methods (sowing and post-emergence) were performed under a 3 x 2 factorial, completely randomized block design (3 levels of inoculation and 2 levels of genetic improvement of Pinus taeda). Plant height and diameter were measured at different stages along seedling development. At harvest, root volume, root fresh and dry mass, shoot fresh and dry mass and quality index were also estimated. Data were submitted to a two-way analysis of variance (p