Phosphate and nitrogen fertilization in the production of Barueiro (Dipteryx alata Vog.) seedlings

Abstract

Abstract Barueiro (Dipteryx alata Vog.), a fruit tree native to the Brazilian cerrado, has aroused the interest of producers and consumers due to its almond highly appraised and valued by local markets. To obtain quality barueiro seedlings, balanced fertilization is required, with special attention to the supply of phosphorus and nitrogen, essential for seedling growth and establishment in the field. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth of barueiro seedlings produced with different phosphate and nitrogen concentrations in Nova Xavantina – MT. The experiment was conducted at the seedling nursery of the Mato Grosso State University (UNEMAT), Campus of Nova Xavantina - MT, from December 2017 to April 2018. The experimental design was randomized blocks (DBC), in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, corresponding to 5 phosphorus concentrations and 2 nitrogen concentrations, with 10 treatments, 4 blocks and 10 plants per plot, totalizing 400 seedlings. The applied concentrations were 0, 150, 300, 450 and 600 mg kg-1 P2O5 and 0 and 250 mg kg-1 N. The following variables were evaluated: plant height, plant stem diameter, number of leaves, number of leaflets, fresh and shoot and root dry mass and Dickson’s Quality Index. Significant interaction between phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations for all traits evaluated was observed, except for root dry mass. The greatest growth of barueiro seedlings was obtained when the highest phosphorus concentration (600 mg kg-1de P2O5) was used, associated to nitrogen fertilization of 250 mg kg-1. There was no isolated effect of phosphate fertilization on the growth of barueiro seedlings without nitrogen application.