Growth and morphological responses of Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos seedlings to nitrogen fertilization

Authors

  • Moadir de Sousa Leite Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido
  • Rômulo Magno Oliveira de Freitas Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Baiano
  • Tiago de Sousa Leite Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido
  • Jeferson Luiz Dallabona Dombroski Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido
  • José Hermogenes dos Santos Junior Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v33n1a2017-32736

Keywords:

Handroanthus impetiginosus, Native plants, Seedling production, Reforestation

Abstract

The use of native tree species for restoration of degraded areas is often hindered by the lack of information about the nutritional requirements of seedlings at the nursery stage. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the growth and morphological responses of Handroanthus impetiginosus seedlings to mineral nitrogen fertilization. The experiment was carried out from July to October 2013 in a seedling nursery under 50% shade cloth. Seeds were germinated for 15 days in low density polystyrene trays and then transplanted into 0.9-L polyethylene plastic bags. A complete randomized block design was used, with four replications and four plants per experimental unit. Treatments consisted of five nitrogen levels (0, 50, 150, 300 and 450 mg N dm-3), using ammonium sulfate as the nitrogen source. Two months after transplanting, the following variables were assessed: leaf chlorophyll content; leaf area; specific leaf area; leaf area ratio; root, stem, leaf and total dry mass; shoot dry mass/root dry mass ratio; shoot height/shoot dry mass ratio; and Dickson quality index. Mineral nitrogen fertilization improved seedling growth by promoting higher results of the leaf chlorophyll content, leaf area and shoot dry mass production. Thus, fertilized seedlings significantly expanded their leaves and invested more in shoot growth, improving their hardiness and quality. The nitrogen level of 240 mg dm-3 was considered to be the most effective for production of H. impetiginosus seedlings.

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Published

2017-02-09

How to Cite

LEITE, M. de S., FREITAS, R.M.O. de, LEITE, T. de S., DOMBROSKI, J.L.D. and SANTOS JUNIOR, J.H. dos, 2017. Growth and morphological responses of Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos seedlings to nitrogen fertilization . Bioscience Journal [online], vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 88–94. [Accessed8 December 2024]. DOI 10.14393/BJ-v33n1a2017-32736. Available from: https://seer.ufu.br/index.php/biosciencejournal/article/view/32736.

Issue

Section

Agricultural Sciences