SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES IN SEEDLING PRODUCTION: REDUCING CHEMICAL INPUTS AND USING BIOINPUTS

Abstract

Seedling production is an important stage in plant establishment and is influenced by substrate quality, nutrient availability, and growing conditions. In this context, the search for sustainable alternatives has increased interest in the use of organic waste and bioinputs as complementary strategies to conventional management. This study aimed to analyze sustainable alternatives for seedling production, with an emphasis on the possibility of reducing the use of certain chemical inputs and employing bioinputs. A qualitative bibliographic study with an integrative approach was conducted based on scientific studies and technical documents related to the subject. The analysis included research on organic substrates, processed residues, and beneficial microorganisms, considering their effects on plant development and their limitations. The studies examined indicate that properly processed organic residues can be used in substrate formulations and that certain microorganisms may improve seedling growth characteristics. However, responses vary according to plant species, substrate composition, microorganism used, and growing conditions. It is concluded that these alternatives have the potential to diversify management practices and promote more efficient resource use in seedling production. Nevertheless, their adoption requires technical evaluation and does not necessarily imply the complete replacement of chemical inputs. Further studies are needed to quantify the actual reduction in the use of these resources.