Use of quality tools to evaluate forest seedlings production in the nursery stage

The control of production processes can assist in the standardization of variability, reducing waste, and improving the quality of a service or product. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the non-conformities in a production system of forest seedlings from Atlantic Forest aiming at the standardization of the production system and adjustments for field cultivation. The definition of the attributes was made through a technical visit to the forestry nursery to know the location and the production process of the seedlings. For the process evaluation, statistical process control tools were used. The non-conformities analyzed were: coiled root growth, disintegrated substrates of plants, presence of roots fixed to the ground, presence of phytopathogen attack symptoms and/or herbivory and symptoms of nutritional deficiency. In general, variability was detected in the production process, compromising the success in planting the seedlings in the field, as well as their quality.