Feasibility of Using Orange Wattle (Acacia cyanophylla Lindl.) Compost as an Organic Growing Medium for the Production of Cork Oak (Quercus suber L.) Seedlings

In developing countries, or in those countries that do not produce peat, forest soil has traditionally been used as a substrate for cultivation of seedlings nurseries. However, found to high quality. Additionally, the harvesting within forested stands negative environmental connotations. The objective this study was evaluate use Acacia cyanophylla–based compost an alternative growing media production cork oak (Quercus suber L.) experiment Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design consisting four blocks. Each block consisted fifteen randomly distributed containers each two treatment substrates (forest soil– and compost). Therefore, total, 120 acorns were examined. Variables related seed germination, plant growth, survival measured. Germination high, exceeding 90% both substrates. compost-based had significantly shorter germination times increase uniformity timing germination. Seedling growth affected by type substrate, while seedling not. As substrates, statistically increased height (39.2 vs. 33.3 cm), diameter (4.5 3.5 mm), total biomass (14.7 10.4 g) relative soil. Based on our findings, be attractive nurseries, due only benefits, but also improvement