Abstract
The leguminous tree species Dipteryx odorata (Aubl.) Willd. and Inga edulis Mart. were grown in the field to reforest a degraded area. To investigate the photosynthetic responses and the initial growth of Amazonian forest species under fertilization, the study species were subjected to different treatments: T1 = unfertilized-control, T2 = chemical fertilization, T3 = green fertilization and T4 = green and chemical fertilization. D. odorata showed the highest absolute growth rates in height under treatments T4 (10.2 cm·month-1) and T2 (12.2 cm·month-1). I. edulis exhibited the best performance for this same parameter in T4 (23.0 cm·month-1). The highest photosynthesis values (Pn) for both D. odorata (13.1 μmol·m-2·s-1) and I. edulis (20.6 μmol·m-2·s-1) were found in T4. The two species also showed the highest performance index values (PIABS) under T4 (D. odorata = 2.9 and I. edulis = 5.2). Our results suggest that the combination of green and chemical fertilization was the most effective of the four treatments evaluated for improving the photosynthetic performance and the growth of both species during the initial establishment of the species in a degraded area.
Highlights
Concern about the need to restore degraded ecosystems in the Amazon rainforest has increased in recent years
Nutrient limitation in the soil can compromise the growth of plant species because nutrients such as N, P, K, Ca and Mg perform vital functions related to the process of photosynthesis and the maintenance of the plants’ water homeostasis [12] [13]
This ability was marked in D. odorata, which did not show extensive development in T1 but still had no mortality
Summary
Concern about the need to restore degraded ecosystems in the Amazon rainforest has increased in recent years. The availability of water and nutrients is greatly reduced [6], and excessive irradiance, if not efficiently used or dispersed, can cause severe damage to the photosynthetic machinery of the species present [7]. Physiological stress factors, such as drought, high irradiance and low nutrient availability, are frequently responsible for decreased photosynthesis and the resulting decrease in growth [8]-[11]. Certain nutrients, such as K, Ca and Mg, may promote tolerance to abiotic stresses [9] [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
