Growth, Physiology and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Eugenia dysenterica DC under Varying Rates of Nitrogen and Phosphorus.

Daniele Nogueira Dos Reis,Reginaldo Da Costa Santana,Thales Caetano De Oliveira,Fábia Barbosa Da Silva,Elídio Monteiro Júnior,Caroline Müller,Fabiano Guimarães Silva,Mariângela Brito Freiberger

doi:10.3390/plants9060722

Daniele Nogueira Dos Reis, Reginaldo Da Costa Santana + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9060722

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Abstract

The production of high-quality seedlings and their use in commercial planting reduce pressure on natural areas. Eugenia dysenterica DC is a native fruit tree from the Brazilian Cerrado, whose nutritional requirements are still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) supplementation on the physiology, growth and nutrient uptake, and use efficiencies of E. dysenterica seedlings grown in glasshouse conditions. The following rates were used in separate experiments: 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg dm−3 N and 0, 100, 200, 400, and 600 mg dm−3 P. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block with four replications. The lowest N rate (50 mg dm−3) increased the stomatal conductance (gS) and, consequently, resulted in the highest transpiration (E), electron transport (ETR), and photosynthetic (A) rates. Also, rates of 50 mg dm−3 and 100 mg dm−3 N increased the Root Uptake Efficiency (RUE) and plant Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) for macronutrients and the RUE for micronutrients, stimulating plant growth. Phosphorous fertilization resulted in the maximum values for photosynthesis, electron transport rate, total dry mass, and NUE at the 200 mg dm−3 rate. The results of this study suggest that fertilization with 50 mg dm−3 N and 200 mg dm−3 P is suitable for the development of E. dysenterica seedlings.

Highlights

The Cerrado is a Brazilian savanna ecosystem that has a high diversity of flora and fauna and originally covered 200 million hectares; in recent years, more than 50% of its area has been converted to grain crops and pastures [1]
The N (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg dm−3 ) and P (0, 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg dm−3 ) rates used in this study differentially influenced gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence traits in E. dysenterica seedlings
The P response increased with the first increment of fertilizer (100 mg dm−3 P); it differed as the response plateaued with increasing P rates (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

The Cerrado is a Brazilian savanna ecosystem that has a high diversity of flora and fauna and originally covered 200 million hectares; in recent years, more than 50% of its area has been converted to grain crops and pastures [1]. Eugenia dysenterica DC, popularly known as cagaita, is a native fruit of the Brazilian Cerradoin the Myrtaceae family. It is an economically important species because its fruits can be used as food, having high levels of vitamin A and C [2], and in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries [3]; the trees are used to supply cork and timber for the construction industry as well as for firewood [4]. The law reduces the commercial exploitation of native plants because of threats to biodiversity and the number of conserved areas in the Cerrado biome. As an alternative, seedling production in orchards and their planting for commercial purposes will reduce native area exploitation. More information is needed, such as the nutritional requirements of the Cerrados native species

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