The use of vermicompost as organic compounds of different agro-industrial wastes in the production of
Acacia mearnsii
seedlings can be an alternative of reusing waste and increase of seedlings production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth and nutrient concentration in
Acacia mearnsii seedlings grown in different soils and vermicomposts of different organic wastes. Also, the effects on soil chemical properties were evaluated. So, different treatments were applied: T1) vermicompost of bovine manure (EB); T2) vermicompost of ovine manure (EO); T3) vermicompost of rice parboiled waste (LP); T4) Control (without amendment); T5) Control with mineral amendment; T6) mixture of EB and LP; T7) mixture of EO and LP; T8) mixture of EB and vermicompost of food wastes (RA); T9) mixture of EO and RA; T10) mixture of EB and vermicompost of fruits wastes (RF); T11) mixture of EO and RF. After 180 days of growth, it was analyzed the dry mass and nutrient concentration in shoots and the concentration of nutrients in the soil after cultivation. The addition of EB, as well as the mixture of EB and RA promoted the increase on dry matter. The results showed that the concentrations of nutrients in plants, with the exception of Fe, Mn varied with the addition of vermicompost in the soil. Treatments T3 and T6 increased the concentrations of P, N, Zn, Cu in leaves of
Acacia mearnsii. Furthermore, the addition of vermicompost to soil increased the availability of nutrients to plants, even after cultivation, especially the phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, and it is a viable and effective in producing
Acacia mearnsii seedlings and might replace the use of mineral fertilizers.
