Water requirement and growth indicators of forest tree species seedlings produced with automated irrigation management

Production of forest seedlings using sewage sludge and automated irrigation with ozonated cattle wastewater

The large volume of effluents generated by intensive cattle production can become an environmental problem, requiring solutions that combine treatment and disposal of reuse water. The quality of cattle wastewater (CWW) treated by ozonation, the water requirement and its effect on the growth of seedlings of Dalbergia nigra cultivated with sewage sludge were determined under different light conditions. The study was carried out in a split plot scheme with 2 shading levels (0%—C₁, and 49.4% attenuation—C₂) and 3 types of irrigation water (control–T₁, 1 h ozonation–T₂, and 2 h–T₃), with 4 repetitions. Direct sowing was realized into 280 cm³ tubes which were irrigated by drip irrigation with automatic management. The height and collar diameter were measured every 21 days, and at the end of the nursery phase, and the Dickson quality index (DQI) and irrigation water productivity (WPir) were determined. In addition, seedlings were transplanted in a forest restauration area (FRA) of Atlantic Forest, with height and diameter monitoring for 200 days. With ozonation, there was an increase in pH and a reduction in electrical conductivity, total solids and turbidity in the CWW, allowing its use for irrigation of forest seedlings. The maximum volumes of water applied were 2.096 and 1.921 L plant^-1, with water supply T₂ and T₁, respectively, and coverages C₁ and C₂. In these conditions, the seedlings reached DQI of 0.47 and 0.17, and WPir of 2.35 and 1.48 g L^-1, respectively. The initial vegetative growth of the seedlings planted in the FRA was benefited by the nutrients provided by the CWW treated. Therefore, the use of sewage sludge and CWW treated has the potential to produce forest seedlings, reducing the release of waste and effluents into the environment.