Initial Growth of Mimosa scabrella Benth., Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi e Allophylus edulis (St. Hil.) Radl. with Different Levels of Mineral Fertilization

Abstract

In order to study the influence of mineral nutrition on quality and the growth of seedlings of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Mimosa scabrella Benth. and Allophylus edulis (ST. Hil.) Radl, a experiment was conducted in the nursery facilities of Embrapa Florestas, Colombo - PR. The three species were sown in plastic containers of 50 cm3 in February 2004. The substrate was a mixture of a commercial formula (pine bark and vermiculite) and granulated coconut fiber in a proportion of 70% and 30% respectively. The treatments were three different dosages of mineral fertilizers, which were divided in two applications, base fertilizaton (mixed to the substrate) and covering. A completely randomized design was used, with 7 repetitions and 9 seedlings per plot. After 4 months the seedlings were assessed, by measuring their height and diameter, and after selecting a medium size seedling in each replicate, a destructive analysis of dry biomass content (aerial part and root system) was performed. The S. terebinthifolius was the specie that showed the best response to fertilization, followed of M. scabrella. Differently, A. edulis presented low requirement of fertilization in nursery. The growth rate for the three species was slower than useful due to the low temperatures verified during the winter season.