Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction of biochar and phosphorus in substrate for seedling production of Brazil nut. A greenhouse experiment was carried out with the following treatments: five doses of biochar (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 t ha-1) and effect of two levels of phosphorus (0 and 100 kg ha-1 of P2O5) with 4 replicates. The plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves were monthly evaluated. At the end of experiment (180 days), the plants were removed from the pots and were evaluated the dry weight of the seedlings (total, shoot and roots), absolute growth rate, height/diameter and shoot/root ratio, number of leaves, leaf gain and quality index of seedlings. There was a significant interaction between the biochar and phosphorus interaction. The elevation of the bioburden doses did not influence any variables with phosphorus. In the absence of phosphorus, the doses of up to 40 t ha-1 of biochar promoted the highest values of the analyzed variables. Higher doses of biochar (> 40 t ha-1) reduced the growth and seedlings quality, however, it was found that under phosphate fertilization, the seedlings were obtained better growth results.
Highlights
The current advances of anthropic activities in the Amazon, such as shifting agriculture, a system of cultivation with low technological level, have contributed to the emergence of degraded land (Ferreira et al, 2015)
Observed the benefits promoted by the addition of biochar associated with fertilizers in crop development (Steiner et al, 2007; Petter et al, 2012), as well as its recurrent use as part of the substrate of forest seedlings (Souchie et al, 2011; Peter et al, 2012; Lima et al, 2016), the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of biochar as a soil conditioner, influencing the residual effect of phosphate fertilizer for the production of Brazil Nut seedlings under soil typical of Central Amazon
Except for final leaves, leaf gain and height/diameter ratio, the other variables were significantly influenced by the biochar and phosphorus interaction (Table 2)
Summary
The current advances of anthropic activities in the Amazon, such as shifting agriculture (cutting and burning), a system of cultivation with low technological level, have contributed to the emergence of degraded land (Ferreira et al, 2015). Native to the brazilian Amazon, Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil Nut), has been used for this purpose, due to its rusticity and good development (Souza et al, 2008) Even for this adapted species, the unfavorable chemical conditions of the Amazonian soils, such as high acidity and low nutrient reserve (Sanches et al, 1982) make it difficult to establish them in planting, making necessary measures to improve soil conditions, especially fertility (Jaquetti et al, 2014). The low level of phosphorus (P) (1-3 mg dm-3), the main limiting nutrient in the Amazon region, has been attributed the characteristics of the source material and its strong chemical interaction with soil elements (Raij, 2011) Because of this fact, about 10% of the applied P becomes available plants, limiting plant production (Fageria, 2008) and increasing costs with corrections and fertilization (Grant et al, 2001). It is necessary to use soil conditioners that provide chemical modifications (Petter et al, 2012), in order to have access to the residual P unavailable by such processes (Rheinheimer & Anghinoni, 2003)
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