ABSTRACT Tuber floridanum is the first truffle species reported in Brazil and little is known about its nutritional properties and ecology. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) determine T. floridanum aroma and nutritional properties and (2) analyze cultivation and fruiting conditions, including potential crop pests and market value. Fruiting bodies of T. floridanum showed a slightly ellipsoid shape and smooth to shallow groovy surface. The mass of ascocarps ranged from 0.13 g to 15.95 g, and the truffle was composed of 71 % carbohydrates, 19 % protein, 5 % ash, and 5 % of fat. Octan-3-one, 1-methoxy-3-methyl-butane, and 1-methoxy-2-methyl-butane determined T. floridanum characteristic aroma. Soil properties were also specific for this truffle, differing from optimal soils where commercial truffles are produced. In addition, the occurrence of earwigs (Anisolabididae, Anisolabidinae) feeding on truffles (26 % of all ascocarps) in pecan orchards may reduce truffle quality and cause financial losses. T. floridanum aroma has a unique composition, completely different from any commercial and non-commercial truffle species analyzed so far. Soil conditions in pecan orchards were also specific for truffle fruiting. Further studies should elucidate other ecological conditions for the co-production of T. floridanum with pecan .

Abstract Meloidogyne javanica is among the most important nematodes that damage soybean, and although genetic resistance is the ideal control measure, there are few cultivars described as resistant among those recommended for southern Brazil. The objective of this work was to evaluate the reaction of soybean cultivars to M. javanica. The inoculum of nematodes (Est. J3) was obtained from soybean plants and inoculated into tomato plants cultivar “Santa Cruz”. Thirty-seven soybean cultivars widely used in the South, Southeast and Midwest of Brazil were used in the experiment. For each plant a suspension of 5,000 eggs + juveniles of second stage of M. javanica was inoculated into a sterile soil hole in 2-liter pots with six replications. The evaluation of root weight, number of galls, number of nematodes was 60 days after M. javanica inoculation. The results were subjected to analysis of variance, and the averages of each treatment were compared to each other by the Scott-Knott cluster test at 5% probability. Even though M. javanica presented RF> 1.00 in all soybean genotypes tested, different levels of susceptibility were observed. Thus, the lowest reproduction of the root-knot nematode was observed in M 5947 IPRO, HO AMAMBAY IPRO, BMX GARRA IPRO and FPS ATALANTA.

ABSTRACT Extracellular soil enzymes are fundamental for the functioning of ecosystems. Several processes in the soil depend on the activity of these enzymes, including plant decomposition, soil organic matter formation/mineralization, and nutrient cycling. Moreover, extracellular enzyme activity occurs in the soil and is therefore influenced by environmental factors. Due to the high sensitivity to these factors, extracellular enzymes are used for monitoring soil quality. This review aimed to present the main contributions of soil enzymes to agriculture, emphasizing the dynamics of elements in the soil and the environmental factors that modulate enzyme activity. With this knowledge, the relationship of extracellular enzymes to soil quality is demonstrated and their use as a tool for soil monitoring. Finally, the evolution of research on soil enzymes in Brazil is presented, and the perspectives of basic and applied studies necessary to expand the knowledge and use of enzymes in soil management are pointed out. Soil enzymes play a key role in numerous soil processes, thereby making them useful indicators of productive capacity and soil quality. Research on enzymes in soil has developed significantly in the last two decades, which has made it possible for farmers to analyze and interpret enzyme activity in the soil in the laboratory.

RESUMO: Uma alternativa para destinar corretamente o esterco bovino é realizar a compostagem e/ou vermicompostagem e depois adicioná-lo ao solo como fonte de nutrientes às plantas. Porém, este resíduo tem sido utilizado na produção de mudas sem tratamento. O estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o uso de esterco bovino in natura, de composto orgânico e de vermicomposto, produzidos a partir do esterco bovino, em substratos para a produção de mudas de Eucalyptus urograndis. Os tratamentos constituíram-se dos substratos formulados pela mistura dos fertilizantes orgânicos com areia lavada nas porcentagens de 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100 (v/v), em comparação com um substrato comercial (SC). As mudas de Eucalyptus urograndis foram cultivadas em tubetes, em casa de vegetação, e avaliadas aos 120 dias quanto a massa seca da parte aérea e raiz, altura da planta, diâmetro do caule, relação parte aérea/raiz e índice de qualidade de Dickson. O substrato formulado pela mistura de 80% (v/v) de esterco bovino in natura com areia lavada proporcionou o melhor desenvolvimento das mudas de eucalipto. O substrato contendo 100% de vermicomposto de esterco bovino ou composto orgânico produziu mudas com qualidade inferior ao esterco bovino in natura, mas superior ao substrato comercial. Devido aos riscos à saúde associados ao uso de esterco bovino não tratado, o composto orgânico e o vermicomposto são boas alternativas para a produção de mudas de E. urograndis.

ABSTRACT: Composting and vermicomposting before addition to the soil is a viable alternative to the disposal of cattle manure. However, this residue has been used in the untreated form for seedling production. This study evaluated the use of cattle manure in natura, and the organic composted or vermicomposted variants of cattle manure on substrates used in the production of Eucalyptus urograndis seedlings. The treatments consisted of substrates formulated by mixing the organic fertilizers with washed sand in 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 (v/v) percentages, compared to a commercial substrate. The E. urograndis seedlings were grown in tubes in a greenhouse and evaluated after 120 days for shoot and root dry weights, plant height, stem diameter, shoot/root ratio, and Dickson quality index. The substrate formulated from a mixture of 80% (v/v) of cattle manure in natura and washed sand allows for better development in Eucalyptus seedlings. Substrate containing 100% bovine manure vermicompost or organic compost produced seedlings with lower quality than in natura bovine manure but superior to the commercial substrate. Due to the health risks associated with use of untreated bovine manure, organic compost and vermicompost are good alternatives for the production of E. urograndis seedlings.

A cultura do feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris) tem a sua produtividade limitada por diversos fatores bióticos, sendo frequentemente afetada por nemátodes fitoparasitas. Várias espécies de nemátodes das galhas radiculares (NGR), Meloidogyne spp., têm sido encontradas e identificadas como sendo prejudiciais a esta cultura. Recentemente, Meloidogyne luci e Meloidogyne ethiopica foram reportadas como parasitas de feijoeiro no Brasil. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar, através da realização de ensaios de vaso, a reprodução de M. ethiopicae M. luci em vinte cultivares de feijoeiro. As plantas foram individualmente inoculadas com 5000 ovos + juvenis do segundo estádio (J2) de NGR e foram mantidas em estufa. Decorridos 60 dias da inoculação, as raízes de cada planta foram avaliadas quanto ao número de galhas, população final e fator de reprodução (FR=população final/população inicial). As médias das diferentes variáveis foram comparadas entre si pelo teste de agrupamento de Scott e Knott a 5%. Todas as cultivares de feijoeiro avaliadas comportaram-se como suscetíveis a ambos as espécies de NGR, com FR variando de 9,8 a 55,9 para M. ethiopica, e de 6,0 a 20,0 para M. luci.

The productivity of common bean crop is limited by several biotic factors, being often affected by plant-parasitic nematodes. Several species of root-knot nematodes (RKN), Meloidogyne spp. have been reported as damaging to the crop. Recently, Meloidogyne luci and Meloidogyne ethiopica were recorded parasitizing roots of common bean plants in Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the reproduction of M. ethiopica and M. luci on twenty bean cultivars. Plants were inoculated with 5,000 eggs plus second stage juveniles (J2) of RKN and pots were maintained in a greenhouse. Sixty days after inoculation, the roots of each plant were evaluated for number of galls, final population and reproduction factor (RF = final population / initial population) and the means of the different variables were compared by the Scott and Knott grouping test at 5%. Results showed that all tested cultivars were susceptible to both RKN, with RF ranging from 9.8 to 55.9 for M. ethiopica and from 6.0 to 20.0 for M. luci.

Resumo Os estudos envolvendo a nogueira-pecã têm evoluído consideravelmente nos últimos anos no Brasil. Esta cultura foi introduzida no país no início do século passado e tornou-se importante comercialmente após os anos de 1960, principalmente na região sul. A nogueira-pecã é comprovadamente um simbionte, formando diversas associações mutualísticas com fungos ectomicorrízicos do solo. Assim, a presente revisão tem como objetivos apresentar os estudos sobre os fungos ectomicorrízicos em plantações comerciais de nogueira-pecã no Brasil, destacar a importância agrícola e ambiental desta simbiose, e o potencial da micorrização controlada da nogueira-pecã, visando à produção de espécies desejadas de trufas, notadamente do gênero Tuber, em pomares comerciais, uma atividade econômica de alta rentabilidade.

Abstract Studies involving pecan tree have evolved considerably in recent years in Brazil. Pecans were introduced in the country at the beginning of the last century, and became commercially important after the 1960´s, primarily in the South region. Pecan trees form several ECM associations with mutualistic fungi. Thus, the aims of the present review were to show research data using ECM fungi in commercial pecan orchards in Brazil, present the agricultural and environmental importance of this symbiosis, and show the potential of man-driven mycorrhyzation with pecan, aiming at the production of selected truffles, notably of the genus Tuber, in commercial orchards, a highly profitable economic activity.

A adoção de práticas conservacionistas alteram as propriedades físicas, químicas e biológicas do solo, influenciando a composição da comunidade microbiana. O trabalho objetivou obter informação sobre a qualidade, diversidade e atividade biológica do solo, quando submetido a dois tipos de manejo do solo (plantio direto escarificado (PDE) e não escarificado (PDNE) e três tipos de manejo de cobertura (Sucessão: soja-trigo, Rotação I: soja-nabo+trigo/soja-aveia+ervilhaca/ e Rotação II: soja-aveia+ervilhaca+nabo/milho-crotalária juncea-trigo/soja). Foram analisadas a biomassa microbiana, atividade enzimática, taxa de respiração basal e diversidade genética do solo, nos períodos do verão (fevereiro/2016) e inverno (setembro/2016). O carbono e nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana foram superiores nos tratamentos sob PDNE. Todas as enzimas apresentaram incremento na atividade no período do verão. Para a respiração basal dos microrganismos, a menor taxa de CO2 acumulada foi no período do verão em solo sob PDNE. Detectou-se variabilidade genética através da técnica de Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), reunindo os tratamentos em quatro grupos. Pode-se concluir que o sistema PDNE associado à rotação de culturas contribui para aumentar a biomassa microbiana e atividade enzimática no solo. Além disso, a técnica de RAPD associada a outros bioindicadores tornam-se importantes ferramentas para o monitoramento da qualidade do solo.

The adoption of conservation practices affect the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, altering the composition of the microbial community. The objective of this research was to obtain information about the soil quality, diversity and biological activity, of the soil when submitted to two types of soil management (scarified (PDE) and no-scarified tillage (PDNE)) and three types of cover management (Succession: soybean-wheat, Rotation I: Soybean-turnip+wheat/soybean-oats+vetch and Rotation II: soybean-oats+vetch+turnip/corn-crotalaria juncea-wheat/soybeans). The microbial biomass, enzymatic activity, basal respiration rate and soil genetic diversity were analyzed during the summer (february/2016) and winter (september/2016) periods. The carbon and nitrogen of the microbial biomass were higher in treatments under PDNE. All enzymes showed an increase in the activity during the summer period. For the basal respiration of the microorganisms, the smallest accumulated CO2 rate was in the summer period under PDNE. The RAPD technique proved to be efficient in the detection of genetic variability, combining treatments in four groups. We concluded that PDNE associated with crop rotation contributes to increase the levels of microbial biomass and soil enzymatic activity. In addition, the RAPD technique associated with other bioindicators become important tools for the monitoring and evaluation of soil quality.

ABSTRACT Pork is the most consumed animal protein around the world. The production levels are significant, which results in the generation of large amounts of slaughter waste. Such waste is often disposed of improperly in agricultural areas, causing environmental imbalance by the contamination of soil and water sources with metals and pathogenic organisms. This study evaluates the phytotoxic effects of pig slaughterhouse waste in natura and after stabilization processes on lettuce (Lactuca sativa Linnaeus, 1753), radish (Raphanus sativus Linnaeus, 1753), and rice (Oryza sativa Linnaeus, 1753), in addition to shoot nutrient contents. To do this, the waste was evaluated through phytotoxicity tests on lettuce, radish, and rice plants in natura (PSWin) as well as after aerated composting (PSWa), natural composting (PSWn), and vermicomposting (PSWv). The evaluations were done through germination, root length, plant development, and shoot nutrient analysis. We found that PSWin and PSWa negatively affected germination, root length, and plant development. Shoot nutrient contents varied greatly among treatments, some of which were above, below, or within the recommended limits. Based on these results, we infer that pig slaughterhouse waste in natura and after aerated composting is phototoxic to lettuce, radish, and rice plants. Phosphorus and sulfur exhibited contents above those recommended in all the treatments for lettuce, radish, and rice. On the other hand, potassium and calcium contents were below the recommended thresholds.

ABSTRACT: Mycorrhizae are mutualistic associations between fungi and plant roots. These symbiotic associations are abundant and occur in 75 to 80 % of plants. Ectomycorrhizal fungi are very important in ecosystems, because their mutualistic association with plants of different species helps nutrients and water absorption, as well as protection of the host plant against pathogens and abiotic stresses. Most ectomycorrhizal fungi belong to the Basidiomycota class, such as the following genera: Amanita, Hebeloma, Hysterangium, Laccaria, Lactarius, Rhizopogon, Russula, Scleroderma, Suillus, Tricholoma, among others. Morphological studies on ectomycorrhizae report important results in understanding the species biodiversity. However, the use of molecular biology nowadays is indispensable. Among the various molecular tools available, there is consensus about the use of tools based on sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) of fungi rDNA, aiding in species characterization and construction of phylogenetic studies. The ITS region is of easy amplification, it has multicopy nature and enables differentiation between species. The objective of this study was to show that the use of molecular biology tools associated with morphotyping to characterize species of ectomycorrhizae is more effective than when they are used on their own.

ABSTRACT: Areas affected by coal mining can be recovered by revegetation with leguminous plants associated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This study addressed the isolation and characterization of native nitrogen-fixing bacteria from coalmine wasteland under different vegetation restoration approaches using Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC) Urb and Vicia sativa L. as trap plants. The bacteria were characterized and identified on the basis of 16S rRNA sequences. Additionally, nitrogen-fixing strains were characterized for tolerance to high heavy metal and low pH levels, as well as for their effect on growth, nodulation, and symbiotic efficiency of M. atropurpureum and V. sativa. Soil samples were taken from the rhizosphere of eight areas, between 6 and 20 years under vegetation restoration, in the coal mining area of Candiota, RS-Brazil. The following properties were evaluated: colony characterization on solid “79” culture medium; pH (3.0-9.0) and heavy metal (Cr, Cd, Zn, Cu, and Ni) tolerance; partial sequencing of 16S rRNA gene; presence of nodA and nifH genes and symbiotic efficiency. A total of 115 isolates, i.e., 77 from M. atropurpureum and 38 from V. sativa, were obtained. The tolerance of these isolates is high for a wide range of pH levels and heavy metal contents, and 18 among them were selected for symbiotic efficiency and 16S rRNA sequencing. Inoculated with M. atropurpureum, the strains UFSM-B53, UFSM-B64, and UFSM-B74 had high symbiotic efficiency. The nitrogen-fixing bacteria were classified in the genera Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, and Burkholderia. The results indicate the potential of these native rhizospheric bacterial strains as inoculants and biofertilizers for legume species under pH and heavy metal stress in coal mining degraded areas in Southern Brazil.

ABSTRACT Wildfire events cause considerable environmental disturbance but few studies have examined changes in soil properties due to fire. This study aimed to assess the effect of a wildfire event on chemical, physical, and biological properties of the soil in a eucalyptus forest in the Pampa biome. Part of a seven-year-old eucalyptus forest was affected by a wildfire event that lasted for two days. Soil and plant litter sampling was performed in three areas: in the forest that was not affected by the fire, in the forest affected by it, and in an adjacent natural pasture area (the original vegetation). Seven samples were collected from the 0.00-0.05 and 0.05-0.20 m layers of each plot for biological analysis, and three samples were collected for chemical and physical analyses. Disturbed soil samples were collected in order to determine pH, organic matter, acidity, and nutrient content. Undisturbed samples were collected to determine soil microporosity, macroporosity, total porosity, and density. Soil macrofauna was assessed through the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility method, and biological activity was tested through substrate consumption in the bait-lamina test. The fire increased soil pH values, CEC, and base saturation, as well as K, Ca, and Mg content; it decreased potential acidity and P content in the soil. Soil physical properties were not altered by the wildfire. The total abundance of macrofauna and of annelids, arachnids, coleoptera, and isoptera decreased due to the wildfire, resulting in lower soil diversity. Hymenoptera abundance increased because of the fire event. The feeding activity of organisms in the soil surface layer decreased due to the fire. The wildfire in the eucalyptus forest in the Pampa biome altered soil chemical and biological properties.

ABSTRACT The efficiency index (EI) refers to the ratio of nutrients mineralized/made available in the soil to the total amount of nutrients added by organic fertilizer. Therefore, understanding the EI is essential for recommendation of organic fertilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the availability through mineralization and the efficiency index of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in organic fertilizers produced from cattle manure. The following treatments were evaluated in an incubation experiment under controlled conditions: soil without fertilizer (control); soil + beef cattle manure vermicompost; soil + beef cattle manure/straw compost; soil + beef cattle manure; soil + dairy cattle manure; and soil + vermicompost produced under conditions of high moisture and forced air. Nitrogen and P mineralization and K availability in the soil were evaluated at 0, 7, 14, 28, 56, 112, 224, and 365 days. Nitrogen availability in the soil increased after the bioconversion of cattle manure by composting, whereas phosphorus availability increased by vermicomposting. The average efficiency indices of N, P, and K of the fertilizers produced from cattle manure were 16, 57, and 82 %, respectively. These efficiency indices are lower than the values presented by the Liming and Fertilization Manual for the states of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil.

A disposição final do lodo de esgoto é problema para muitos países. Porém, significativa porcentagem destes resíduos é constituída por polímeros biodegradáveis, tais como lignina, celulose e hemicelulose. Os fungos do Filo Basidiomycota poderiam degradar estes polímeros nos leitos de secagem da estação de tratamento de esgoto e contribuir para a diminuição dos volumes finais dispostos no ambiente. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a capacidade de 20 fungos Basidiomycota lignocelulolíticos em biodegradar lodo e os polímeros que o constituem. Foram selecionados quatro isolados para efetuar a biodegradação em diferentes temperaturas. Além disso, a fração orgânica presente no lodo foi determinada antes e depois da biodegradação. A inoculação com Agaricus bisporus, Fomes fasciatus, Schizophyllum commune e Trametes versicolor aumentou a degradação do lodo, a qual é maximizada em altas temperaturas. Estes fungos reduziram o teor de carbono orgânico total, de carbono solúvel e de polímeros presentes. A maior redução foi verificada na fração hemicelulose, seguida da lignina e celulose. A inoculação de fungos com capacidade de degradar o lodo pode ser uma alternativa para reduzir os volumes dispostos no ambiente.

The final disposal of biosolids is a global matter. Polymers such as lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose comprise significant rate of biosolids arrangement. Fungi from Basidiomycota phyllum could degrade these polymers in the drying beds of the treatment plant and it can contribute decreasing final volumes of sludge disposed in the environment. The aim of this study was assess the capacity of 20 lignocellulolytic Basidiomycota fungi to biodegrade the sludge and the polymers that constitute it. Four isolates were selected to carry out sludge biodegradation at different temperatures. In addition, the organic fraction present in the sludge were determined before and after biodegradation. The inoculation of Agaricus bisporus, Fomes fasciatus, Schizophyllum commune and Trametes versicolor has enhanced the degradation of sludge, which is improved upon in higher temperatures. These fungi reduced the total organic carbon content of soluble carbon and polymers present in the sludge. The largest reduction was verified in the hemicellulose fraction, followed by lignin and cellulose. The inoculation performed by fungi capable of degrading sludge is an alternative to reduce the volumes deposited in the environment.

RESUMO No estado do Rio Grande do Sul, os reflorestamentos de eucalipto encontram-se, geralmente, em solos de baixa fertilidade natural, favorecendo a associação ectomicorrízica. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se o efeito da inoculação dos isolados de fungos ectomicorrízicos UFSC-Pt116, UFSC-Pt188 e UFSC-SA9, sobre plantas de Eucalyptus grandis, em Neossolo Quartzarênico. As avaliações foram realizadas aos 30, 45, 60, 75 e 90 dias após semeadura. Plantas inoculadas com os isolados UFSC-Pt116, UFSC-Pt188 e UFSC-SA9 alcançaram maior altura, diâmetro do caule, massa seca da parte aérea e volume de raízes em relação ao controle. Plantas inoculadas com o isolado de fungo ectomicorrízico UFSC-Pt188 apresentaram maior teor de fósforo e potássio na parte aérea que as plantas não inoculadas. A inoculação com o isolado fúngico ectomicorrízico UFSC-Pt116 promoveu maior altura e massa seca da parte aérea. Para os teores de nitrogênio e potássio, e para massa seca de raízes não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos. A inoculação com os fungos ectomicorrízicos UFSC-Pt116, UFSC-SA9 e UFSC-Pt188 isoladamente, promoveram maior altura, diâmetro de caule, acúmulo de massa seca da parte aérea e volume de raízes das plantas de Eucalyptus grandis.

ABSTRACT In Rio Grande do Sul state, the eucalyptus planted forests are cultivated in low fertility soils, which contribute to ectomycorrhizal association. This study evaluated the effect of ectomycorrhizal isolates UFSC-Pt116, UFSC-Pt188 and UFSC-SA9 inoculation, individually and in combination, with Eucalyptus grandis in Quartzarenic Neosols. Evaluations were performed at 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing. Plants inoculated with isolates UFSC-Pt116, UFSC-Pt188 and UFSC-SA9 showed highest height, stem diameter, dry mass of shoot and root volume than the control. Plants inoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus isolate UFSC-Pt188 showed highest content of phosphorus and potassium in shoots than non-inoculated plants. Inoculation individual ectomycorrhizal isolate UFSC-Pt116 promoted the highest height and shoot dry mass. For nitrogen and potassium, and root biomass have not showed significant differences between treatments. Then inoculation with ectomycorrhizal UFSC-Pt116, UFSC-Pt188 and UFSC-SA9 alone promoted highest height, stem diameter, dry mass of shoot and plant root volume of Eucalyptus grandis.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da vermicompostagem de resíduos de carne e esterco bovino no desenvolvimento de mudas de eucalipto e pinus. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com oito tratamentos, sendo quatro elaborados a partir da adição de 0%, 20%, 40% e 60% de esterco bovino ao resíduo de carne, ambos vermicompostados, e quatro constituídos pela adição de 0%, 20%, 40% e 60% de vermicomposto ao substrato comercial, com sete repetições. Foram avaliados a altura das mudas, o diâmetro do colo, a massa seca da parte aérea e radicular, a área superficial específica, o índice de qualidade de Dickson e a relação entre a altura da muda e o diâmetro do colo. A adição ao substrato comercial de 20% e 40% de vermicomposto proporciona desenvolvimento e qualidade de mudas de eucalipto equivalentes ao alcançado com a utilização de 100% de substrato comercial. As mudas de pinus não são favorecidas pelas proporções de vermicomposto testadas.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of meat waste and cattle manure vermicomposting in the development of eucalyptus and Pinus seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with eight treatments with seven repetitions. The treatments were: 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of cattle manure added to meat waste, both vermicomposted, and 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of the vermicompost added to commercial substrate. Stem height and diameter, shoot and root dry mass, specific surface area, Dickson quality index and the ratio between stem height and diameter were assessed. Addition of 20% and 40% of vermicompost in eucalyptus seedling cultivation promotes similar development and quality obtained with addition of 100% of commercial substrate. Pinus seedlings are not influenced by the proportions of vermicompost tested.