Physical characteristics of substrates containing waste peel of almond chestnut-of-brazil (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.)

Abstract

The processing of the Brazil nut generates large amounts of waste, which features lots of nutrients and feasibility of use as a substrate for the development of species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical characteristics twelve substrates compositions containing shell of almond of B. excelsa. Chestnut shells were crushed and put to compost for 5 months. The compositions evaluated contained almond shells, coffee husks, rice husks, poultry manure and equine manure in different proportions. The physical characteristics were determined: particle density, density of the substrate, macroporosity and microporosity, total porosity, water holding capacity, gravimetric and volumetric moisture humidity. The S2 substrates (peel almonds + rice husk - 1:1), S6 (shell almonds + rice husk - 3:7), S8 (almond bark + manure equine - 3:7) and they showed total porosity rates deemed appropriate, and with the S10 substrate (Almonds + coffee peeling bark + equine manure - 1:1:1) have a good capacity of water retention. The S10 substrate falls among the largest humidity values gravimetric. It is, therefore, these are the most recommended substrates within the mixtures tested for seedling production.