Does the quality of Luehea divaricata seedlings in the nursery correspond to their behavior in the field?

The species, Luehea divaricata offers great ecological and timber potential in addition to a wide geographic distribution, although there are few studies comparing seedling production in the nursery with its development in the field. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the performance of L. divaricata seedlings produced in different substrates in the nursery, as well as verify if the results obtained influence survival and growth after planting in the field. The seedlings were produced with four different substrate formulations (T1: 100% peat-based commercial substrate (Peat); T2: 80% peat and 20% carbonized rice husk (CRH); T3: 60% peat and 40% CRH; T4: 40% peat and 60% CRH). In the nurseries, at 202 days after sowing, the height, stem base diameter, aerial dry mass, root dry mass, total dry mass and Dickson quality index were evaluated. After the seedlings were planted in the field, their survival, height growth and stem base diameter were monitored. L. divaricata seedlings produced with up to 40% CRH mixed with peat-based commercial substrate can present adequate growth in the field, although improved performance may occur with even 20% CRH. It should be noted that the growth response of L. divaricata seedlings in the nursery is more efficient when associated with the performance of the seedlings in the field.   Key words: Native species, carbonized rice husk, initial growth after planting, substrate.