Initial growth and mineral nutrition of species with economic potential under omission of nutrients

Abstract

Nutritional management is one of the most limiting barriers to forestry development. In this context, the present work aims to establish the effect of liming and omissions of macro and micronutrients on plants development and nutritional status of Leucaena leucocephala, Cordia trichotoma, and Astronium graveolens. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with five dm³ pots in a randomized block design with single plant plots, with 12 treatments consisting of omission of N; P; K; S; B; Zn; Ca; Mg, without fertilization and complete fertilization. Nutrients omission and exclusion of liming limited plant growth in height, collar diameter, biomass accumulation, and reduced seedling quality. Liming is beneficial for Cordia trichotoma and Astronium graveolens. The nutrients importance order is N > K > P, Zn > Ca, Mg, B, S for L. leucocephala, N, P, K, Ca and Zn > Mg, B, S for C. trichotoma and, N, P, B, Ca > K, Zn > S for A. graveolens.