Efficiency of Slow Release Fertilizers in The Production of Eucalyptus Grandis Seedlings

Fernanda Leite Cunha,Evandro Nunes Miranda,Nelson Venturin,Lucas Amaral De Melo,Tales Jesus Fernandes,Erick Martins Nieri

doi:10.1590/2179-8087-floram-2021-0059

Fernanda Leite Cunha, Evandro Nunes Miranda + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087-floram-2021-0059

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Abstract

Abstract Fertilization in the seedling production phase is essential to form quality seedlings. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriate doses of two slow-release fertilizers (SRF1 and SRF2) and their nutrient leaching behavior. For this, five different doses of fertilizers were tested. 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 kg m-³. The height, stem diameter, leaf area, shoot dry mass, root system dry mass, total dry mass, and the Dickson Quality Index were measured, and for each variable the maximum dose of technical efficiency was determined. In addition, was evaluated the electrical conductivity, over time, for determinate the leaching of the nutrients. All the variables had satisfactory growth for field planting. However, the SRF2 resulted in greater seedling growth and also experienced less nutrient loss by leaching, when compared with the SRF1. The both fertilizers could be utilized to seedlings production, at doses of 4.00 kg m-³.

Highlights

The use of quality seedlings is essential to guarantee the success and establishment of forest stands, as it can increase their survival and post-planting growth, reducing the need for replanting and maintenance (Silva et al, 2015)
The variables H, Leaf area (LA), Shoot dry mass (SDM), root system dry mass (RSDM), total dry mass (TDM), and Dickson’s Quality Index (DQI) showed a significant interaction between the types of fertilizers and the doses applied
It was observed that the growth of the seedlings fertilized with SRF2 was higher than for those fertilized with SRF1, Figure 1

Summary

Introduction

The use of quality seedlings is essential to guarantee the success and establishment of forest stands, as it can increase their survival and post-planting growth, reducing the need for replanting and maintenance (Silva et al, 2015). Slow release fertilizers (SRF) can be used for the production of seedlings, as they both gradually and continuously release nutrients, and reduce fertilizer losses from leaching and volatilization (Dinali et al, 2012) This is considered a major advance, since the main loss of nutrients in seedling production systems in uncovered nurseries, is due to excessive irrigation and rain (Da Ros et al, 2017). Their use can reduce labor and energy costs, and damage to seeds or seedlings owing to the salinity of culture mediums, in addition to maintaining a synchronization of nutrient release with the growth and development needs of the plants (Yamamoto et al, 2016). According to Brachtvogel & Malavasi (2010), increasing the doses of the SRF coated with alkyd resin (N: P: K, 14:14:14) for the production of forest seedlings, resulted in higher quality seedling production. Rossa et al (2011) and Serrano et al (2010), observed that there was a significant effect from the use of increasing doses of SRF coated with the Poligen polymer (N: P: K, 13:06:16), for the production of forest species seedlings (Araucaria angustifolia and Ocotea odorifera) and agronomic seedlings (Carica papaya, papaya)

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