Inclusión de musgo (Sphagnum magellanicum Brid.) y fibra de coco como componentes orgánicos del sustrato para almácigos de kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) Inclusion of moss (Sphagnum magellanicum Brid.) and coconut fiber as organic components for kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa)

Several components are commonly included in substrate mixtures, but usually they are not the most appropriated; some of them, due to their extraction, generate a negative environmental damage, as it’s the case of peat. Searching for sustainable alternatives, the inclusion of Sphagnum magellanicum moss and coconut fiber as organic components of substratum mixtures was evaluated in order to improve the nursery production of kiwi, propagated by seeds, in plugs. The considered components were Sphagnum moss (SM), coconut fiber (FC), composted pine bark ((CP) and sand (A), further peat (T) in different proportions. The trial was realized in Paine, Metropolitan Region, Chile, under greenhouse conditions. Sixteen mixtures were evaluated: T40% + CP40% + A20% (control), SM40% + FC40% + A20%, SM40% + T40% + A20%, SM40% + CP40% + A20%, FC40% + T40% + A20%, FC40% + CP40% + A 20%, SM80% + A 20%, FC 80% + A20%, T80% + A20%, CP80% + A 20%, SM33% + FC33% + A 33%, SM33% +T 33%+ A 33%, SM33% + CP33% + A33%, FC33% + T33%+ A33%, FC33% + CP33% + A33%, T33% + CP33% + A33%. In all the substrata, kiwi seeds cv. Hayward were sawn in containerized plugs. The statistical design corresponded to complete randomized blocks, with four repetitions. Evaluated variables were: stem diameter, root and canopy dry weight. The experimental unit considered 22 plug container tubes of 120 cm3, each one with a single plant. The results indicate that the substrata composed by 80% of Sphagnum moss and 20% of sand, or 80% of coconut fiber and 20% of sand in comparison to the control substratum is appropriate for the production of kiwi seedlings and constitute an alternative as replacement to the use of peat.