Initial Growth of Red Tent Seedlings (Adenanthera Pavonina l.) In Soil Enriched with Different Doses and Nitrogenous Sources

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the initial growth of red tent seedlings in different doses and sources of N.   Theoretical framework: Based on scientific articles found on search engines and books in the area of soil fertility and plant nutrition. This is to support the explanation of how the morphological characteristics of seedlings, which explain their growth, are affected by nitrogen fertilization, depending on the dose and source of fertilizer applied.   Method: The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with five doses of N and five replications, using urea and ammonium sulfate as sources, which were evaluated separately. The doses tested were: T0 – without addition of N; T1 – 50 mg dm-3; T2 – 100 mg dm-3; T3 – 150 mg dm-3; T4 – 200 mg dm-3, for each source tested. At the end of 90 days, the morphological characteristics of the seedlings were evaluated: height, diameter, height/diameter ratio, dry mass of the aerial part, dry mass of the root part, aerial dry mass/root dry mass ratio, height/aerial dry mass ratio and, Dickson quality index.   Results and conclusion: Growth, dry mass production and seedling quality were greater at a dose of 200 mg dm-3 when using urea as a source of N. When the source was ammonium sulfate, the greatest growth in height occurred at a dose of 100 mg dm-3, however, the greatest growth in diameter, the greatest production of dry mass and quality, were observed at a dose of 200 mg dm-3. This is the recommended dose for the species studied.   Research implications: These results indicate that nitrogen fertilization is essential for the quality growth of red seedlings, and the dose to be applied is essential for this to happen, since values lower than this dose may not allow the plant to perform at its maximum. growth potential. Meanwhile, higher doses do not guarantee greater growth and will result in unnecessary expenses and, probably, loss of growth due to toxicity.   Originality/value: Using nitrogen fertilizers, in the correct dose for the species, increases its growth potential and guarantees the production of quality seedlings within the nursery.