The quantifi cation of the hydric requirement during the production of quality seedlings is of extreme importance and the substrate used is a mediator of this infl uence. However, few studies are carried out in this context, particularly on native species such as Luehea divaricata, which has great potential for lumber production and the restoration of riparian forests. The aim of this study was to characterize the survival and growth of L. divaricata seedlings in different substrates and under different irrigation schemes. The experimental design used a factorial scheme composed of four formulations of substrate (100T: 100% turf (peat); 80T: 80% peat and 20% carbonized rice husk - CRH; 60T: 60% peat and 40% CRH; 40T: 40% peat and 60% CRH) and six irrigation schemes. Survival, height, stem diameter, aerial dry matter, root and total leaf area, and Dickson Quality Index were evaluated. We observed elevated survival, height, stem diameter, aerial dry matter, and leaf area under an irrigation of 16 mm. day-1 with substrates 100T and 80T. The dry matter and Dickson Quality Index, independent of the irrigation, resulted in greater carbon accumulation. Thus, we concluded that substrates based on peat, mixed with up to 20% CRH, allowed greater seedling growth, facilitating earlier hardening and expedition, under an irrigation scheme of 16 mm.day-1. L. divaricata is a native species that can be considered to have high hydric demand during the seedling production phase.
