Crescimento de mudas de Euterpe edulis Martius em resposta a diferentes doses de fósforo (Growth of seedlings of Euterpe edulis Martius in response to different doses of phosphorous)

This study examines the effect of different doses of phosphorous on the growth of Euterpe edulis, a native palm of the Atlantic Forest. As for many native species, information on nutritional requirements for E. edulis is Iimited. Many native species used in reforestation are grown in low-fertility soils, resulting in unhealthy trees. Degraded lands in need of reforestation are also low in nutrients, further contributing to the poor growth of trees. The authors experimented with eight different doses of phosphorous: control (no added phosphorous), 90, 180, 270, 360, 450, 540, and 630 mg/dm³. Twelve months later, the authors measured height and biomass of shoots, collar diameter, belowground biomass, and total root length. 

The authors found that doses of up to 540 mg/dm³ of phosphorous increase height growth, aboveground biomass, and total biomass; doses of up to 450 mg/dm³ result in a linear increase in belowground biomass; and doses of 270 mg/dm³ result in the greatest increase in stem diameter. Maximum efficiency of phosphorous use was achieved at a dose of 494.4 mg/dm³ and a height of 28 cm. The response of root length to additions of phosphorous was not significant. Levels of phosphorous did not affect levels of other macro and micronutrients in the plants. Macronutrients were found to be present in the following order in aboveground biomass: N> Ca> K> Mg> P>S; in belowground biomass: N> Ca> Mg> S> K> P. Micronutrients in above and belowground biomass was present in the following order: Fe> Mn> Zn> B> Cu.