Influence of substrate and silicon applications on sustainable propagation practices of avocado rootstock (Persea americana Mill.) var. ‘Zutano’

Galecio-Julca M.; Chingue V.S.; Aguilar-Anccota R.; Quiroz-Calderón M.; Calero-Merino M.; Morocho-Romero H.; Peña-Castillo R.; Caballero-Condori D.; Pizarro A.M. · Acta Agronomica (2025) · DOI: 10.15446/acag.v74n2.123296

Resumen

The use of organic waste in substrate preparation promotes a circular economy and reduces environmental pollution. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different substrates and silicon application on the propagation of Zutano avocado rootstock. The substrates used were sand (A), compost (C), agricultural soil (SA), commercial silicon (SiC), and peat (T). The treatments were T1 (100 % A - control); T2 (75 % A + 25 % C); T3 (50 % A + 20 % C + 20 % T + 10 % SiC); T4 (25 % A + 25 % C + 25 % T + 25 % SiC); T5 (10 % A + 25 % C + 40 % T + 25% SA); T6 (25 % A + 15 % C + 10 % SiC + 50 % SA); T7 (40 % T + 10 % SiC + 50 % SA); and T8 (10 % T + 10 % SiC + 80 % SA). Plant height (PH, cm), stem diameter (SD, cm), number of leaves (NL), root length (RL, cm), root fresh weight (RFW, g), and root volume (RV, mL) were evaluated. The study was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 8 treatments and 3 replications, with eight plants per experimental unit, for a total of 192 plants. ANOVA and multivariate analysis were performed. Treatment T5 improved PH (43 cm), SD (0.3 cm), and NL (11.33). Treatments T7 and T8 increased RL to 44.33 and 40.67 cm respectively. Likewise, T8 improved RFW, reaching 45.5 g, whereas T2 increased RV to 34 mL. The incorporation of SiC into the substrate improved RL. In the PCA, two dimensions (D) were formed that grouped the studied variables: D-I (PH, SD, RL, and RV) and D-II (RFW, NL), showing a high positive correlation (r > 0.75) among PH, SD, and RV. © (2025), (Universidad Nacional de Colombia). All right reserved.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa; Universidad Nacional de Piura