Residual Influence of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Doses on Soil and Eucalyptus Nutrition in Coppice

Abstract

The management of fertilizer is an important strategy for better nutrition and productivity of eucalyptus. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the isolated residual effect (carryover) of N, P and K fertilization on macro- and micronutrients in soil, leaf litter, leaf nutritional diagnosis and initial growth attributes of eucalyptus in a coppice system. Three experiments were carried out in a randomized block design with five replications. Experiment 1: four residual doses of N (0, 70, 105 and 140 kg ha−1) were applied as ammonium nitrate. Experiment 2: four residual doses of P2O5 (0, 40, 70 and 100 kg ha−1) were applied to plantations in furrows using triple superphosphate. Experiment 3: four residual K2O doses (0, 90, 135 and 180 kg ha−1) were applied as potassium chloride. The residual N doses did not influence leaf nutrient contents and initial growth of eucalyptus; however, increasing P residual doses increased soil P and Zn content, litter K content, decreased leaf Mg content, and increased initial growth (height and wood volume of eucalyptus). The residual K doses increased leaf litter K content and leaf Mn and Zn content but decreased leaf litter Ca, B and Fe and leaf Mg content. Residual potassium fertilization did not significantly influence the initial growth of eucalyptus in the Brazilian Cerrado.