Controlled-release Fertilizer in Cordyline spectabilis Seedlings Production, a Potential Species of the Asparagaceae Family

Abstract The success of seedlings establishment for commercial planting and forest restoration depends on the availability of nutrients during seedlings production. The objective was to evaluate the efficiency in controlled-release fertilizer use in Cordyline spectabilis seedlings production and what is the additional cost per seedling produced. Seedling production was performed with doses of 0.0 (control); 2.5; 5.0; 7.5; 10.0 and 12.5 kg m-³ of Basacote® Plus 9M (16-08-12) controlled-release fertilizer added to the substrate. The experiment was placed in a greenhouse and we evaluated morphological parameters to determine seedlings growth. The dose of 10.7 kg m-3 provided a greater number of leaves (11.4) and leaf length (24.9 cm), higher values of shoot (4.64 g), root (2.32 g) and shoot root ratio (1.99) were obtained above 10.7 kg m-3 fertilizer. We recommend the use of 10.7 kg m-3 controlled-release fertilizer for seedlings production with an increase of R$ 0.05 per seedling produced.