Pretreated Eucalyptus globulus and Pinus radiata Barks: Potential Substrates to Improve Seed Germination for a Sustainable Horticulture

Commercial forest plantations in Chile are dominated by pine (Pinus radiata) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). Tree bark is the main by-product of forestry industry has low value, but great potential for use as an agricultural substrate. However, direct fibers may cause plant phytotoxicity due to presence polyphenolic other compounds. This study aims evaluate physicochemical properties E. globulus P. radiata after water extraction treatments. The resulting extracted alone that mixed with commercial substrates (coconut fiber, moss, peat, composted pine) at different ratios (25 75 wt%) were assessed using Munoo-Liisa vitality index (MLVI) test. For all treatments, seed germination growth radish (Raphanus sativus) Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) species evaluated compared a growing medium (peat) control. optimal mixture was determined be 75% fiber 25% such peat (P), coconut (C), moss (M), (CP), indicated MLVI results. Two phytostimulant products, chitosan alginate-encapsulated fulvic acid, added best substrate mixture, purpose improving their performance. Encapsulated acid 0.1% w/v effective promoting growth, while concentrations studied only 75E-25CP. substrates, containing high proportion water-extracted (75%), shows used horticultural crops nursery industry.