Initial development of seedlings of macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata)

• Macaúba is a promising material for the production of oil for biodiesel.
• The production for macaúba depends agronomics aspects and the fertilizers used.
• Different soil types directly influence the development of macaúba.
• The potential of macaúba has great influence in the initial fertilization.

The macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata), also know as the grugru palm, macaw palm and coyol palm, has great potential for the production of oil for biodiesel. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of macauba palm seedlings in two types of soil, with and without the use of a soil conditioner. The study was conducted under screening mesh in 20 l pots containing two kinds of topsoil (0–20 cm): Eutroferric Red Latosol (clayey) and Dystroferric Red Latosol (sandy). The following treatments were tested for each soil type: T0 = control, TC3 = 3 kg m−3 Terracottem®, TC6 = 6 kg m−3 Terracottem®, CF = chemical fertilizer (urea, simple superphosphate and potassium chloride) and TC6 + CF = 6 kg m−3 Terracottem® + chemical fertilizer. The chemical and biological attributes of the soil, nutrient levels in the leaves and phytotechnical indices were evaluated. For the majority of contrasts carried out there were no significant differences. However, increases in soil and plant nutrient levels were observed depending on whether the conditioner or chemical fertilizer were applied on their own or combined. There were no significant differences in any of the phytotechnical parameters evaluated in the two soils tested. Sandy soils tend to result in lower plant development.