Abstract

Considering that tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.), an exotic fruit in Brazil, is appreciated in natura consumption and has been highlighted by its nutritional and pharmaceutical characteristics, its application in medicines available in the market due its long period of freshness has become an obstacle to the commercial cultivation of this fruit; therefore, the method of propagation by air-layering can solve this problem. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of substrates and the use of indolebutyric acid (IBA) on the production of seedlings by tamarind air-layering method. For this purpose, commercial organic compound, coconut powder and sphagnum were used to make the air-layering and IBA concentrations (500, 750, 1000 and 1250 mg L^-1). The experimental design was a randomized complete block, in a 3 × 5 factorial scheme, containing 10 blocks, each plant being considered a block, with 4 replicates (air-layering) per block, distributed in the plants quadrants. Influence of the substrates and IBA concentrations used for the rooting of tamarind air-layering was observed, with a significant interaction of these factors obtained in the evaluated variables. Thus, it can be concluded that propagation by the method of air-layering is viable. For organic compound and coconut powder, the concentrations of 500 and 1000 mg L^-1 IBA, respectively, may improve the results obtained by air-layering. With the use of sphagnum as substrate, the use of 500 mg L^-1 IBA to maximize the results is indicated in this method.

Key words: Fruits, propagation materials, Tamarindus indica L., tropical fruits, seedling production.