Morphophysiological responses of canafistula progenies under different water and nutrition conditions

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate morphological and physiological characteristics of different canafistula progenies (Peltophorum dubium) under different soil water and nutrient availability. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse, under completely randomized design with 12 treatments and four replications, in a factorial scheme 3 (provenance) x 2 (fertilization) x 2 (irrigation). Plant height, stem diameter and SPAD index (soil plant analysis development) were collected throughout the experiment every 15 days. At the end of the experiment, we determined shoot, root and total dry weight, ratio of shoot and root dry matter, leaf water potential and Dickson quality index. Provenances from Serra da Bodoquena and Serra de Maracaju had greater ability to resist water and nutritional stress in relation to Ivinhema, MS provenance. Differences among provenances were intensified when canafistula seedlings were not under water deficit. Water stress imposed on canafistula seedlings causes more morphophysiological damage than stress from lack of nutrients.