Differential response of tree species from Brazilian tropical dry Forest (Caatinga) to phosphorus doses associated with organic matter

Abstract

The availability of phosphorus (P) and organic matter in Chromic Luvisols, predominant in the Caatinga biome, is generally low and makes it difficult to reintroduce native plants in forest recovery projects. The objective was to evaluate the production of dry mass, accumulation a and use efficiency of P by three tree species native from Caatinga biome with application of doses of P and organic matter. This experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 3 × 5 factorial scheme, consisting of with two doses of organic matter (0 and 50 g kg−1), three species of plants (Tabebuia aurea (Silva Manso) Benth. & Hook.f. ex S Moore, Amburana cearensis, Allemão AC Smith and Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. Ex Tul.) and five doses of P (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg dm−3). At 120 days after transplanting, concentrations of P available in the soil and leaf soluble P fractions increased linearly with the P doses. The availability of P in the soil and, consequently, the accumulation of soluble and total P in the plant tissues were greater with organic matter application. The studied species use different P compartmentalization strategies depending on their dry mass production capacity. Phosphate and or organic matter application is necessary in the initial growth phase of the studied species, notably T. aurea and C. ferrea. The dry mass of T. aurea was greater than that of C. ferrea and A. cearensis.