EFFECT OF PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZATION ON GROWTH OF AÇOITA-CAVALO (Luehea divaricata Mart.) SEEDLINGS

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of different phosphorus doses on the growth of Açoita-cavalo seedlings (Luehea divaricata). As substratum, Red Yellow Argisol, collected from a superficial layer (0-20 cm) was used and as additional fertilizers were added 25 mg N kg-1 and 47,5 mg K kg-1, whose sources were CH4N2O and KCl. The experimental design used was completely randomized with 8 treatments and 8 repetitions, totalizing 64 plots, with one plant per plot. The treatments constituted of: control (soil without phosphorus addition), 90, 180, 270, 360, 450, 540 and 630 mg P kg-1 (utilizing CaHPO4 as fertilization). The recipients used were polypropylene vases with the capacity of 2,0 dm3. The humidity of the vases was kept at 80% of the field capacity. The following parameters were evaluated after 120 days: height of the aerial part, stem diameter, biomass above ground, root biomass and total biomass. The 360 mg P kg-1 dose resulted in the best growth of L. divaricata seedlings.