Erythrina velutina
Willd. (Fabaceae) is used in traditional medicine in northeastern Brazil for its sudorific
properties, soothing, emollient, pectoral and local anesthetic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
effect of substrate and shading on seedlings of
Erythrina velutina. The experimental design was completely
randomized in factorial scheme 5 x 2 (five substrates and two shades), with four replications and 10 plants
in each plot. The substrates were
arisco,
arisco + cattle manure 2:1 v/v,
arisco + cattle manure 3:1 v/v, sand
+ cattle manure 2:1 v/v, sand + cattle manure 3:1 v/v. The shadings were 0% shading (full sunlight) and
50% shading. The characteristics evaluated were stem diameter, height, leaf area, green and dry biomass of
roots and shoots, height/diameter and Dickson quality index.There was no significant difference in diameter
between the different substrates. The environment in full sun favored the diameter and the root biomass
whereas the height was favored by shade. The substrates with cattle manure in its composition favors
the development of plants of
Erythrina velutina and higher seedling quality are produced in full sun and
substrate
arisco + cattle manure in the ratio 2:1.