Growth and drought resistence of "Algarobeira" (Prosopis juliflora SW. D. C.) in "Cerrado" Soil fertilized or not with organic matter

Abstract

Growth and drought resistence of "algarobeira" were determined in plants grown in greenhouse under 30% of shading, in Red-Yellow Latosol fertilized or not with organic matter. At 30 days after emergence (DAE) the adition of organic matter produced a significant increase in epigeal and hypogeal phytomass. At 300 DAE, the plants grown in fertilized soil produced ten times more biomass than those grown in other soil. The drought tolerance of algarobeiras increased with the time. Plants grown in fertilized soil were more resistent to stress conditions, using as strategie an osmotic adjustment and a lower decrease in tissue relative water content by unity of water potential decreased.