Mineral fertilization of Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub.

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was carried out with seedlings of the tropical tree Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub. in order to study its nutritional requirements. As substrate an oxisol with low nutrient availability was used and distributed in 10 treatments: a complete one (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B and Zn), the others lacking one element in each treatment (-N, -P, -K, -Ca, -Mg, -S, -B and -Zn) and a control (natural soil). The following characteristcs were assessed: plant height and diameter growth, dry matter production and levels of nutrient into dry matter of shoots. It was concluded that seedlings are affected by the omission of all nutrients in the following order: P > N > S > Ca > Mg > K > B. The omission of K, Ca and Mg affects S absorption by plants.