EFEITO DO TAMANHO DO RECIPIENTE SOBRE O DESENVOLVIMENTO DE MUDAS DE AÇAÍ (Euterpe oleracea Mart.)

The present work was conducted to study the effect of different sizes of recipients on the development of acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) seedlings, in the Experimental Farm of Fazendinha, at Embrapa Amapa. The study was carried out under screened seed nursery (50% shade) at environment conduction. The experimental design was completed randomized blocks with 3 treatments (recipients) and 5 replications of 16 plants. It was compared the following sizes of recipient: small (12 x 17,5 cm = 0,800 l), medium (17 x 22 cm = 2,020 l) and large (20 x 27 cm = 3,450 l). The seedlings transplant was done 45 days after the sowing. To evaluate the development of the seedlings the plant height, stem diameter and top and root dry weight were determined. The size of recipient affected the development of acai seedlings. Seedlings from medium and large recipients showed higher development compared to small recipients. The highest value of root dry weight was obtained from seedlings produced in medium size recipient. Considering that almost all evaluated parameters were higher in medium size recipients associated with reduced labor and substrate needs compared to larger size recipients it can be recommended medium size recipients for producing acai seedlings.