Influence of soil acidity and phosphorus in early growth of mahogany

Abstract

Phosphate fertilization for native perennial species need studies in field conditions and seedling production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of interaction between phosphorus and lime levels on growth and nutrients content of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King.), cultivated on a Yellow Latosol Dystrophic typic, in greenhouse. The experimental design was completely randomized factorial, with three replications. The treatments consisted of six doses of P (11; 22; 44; 66; 88 and 110 mg dm^-3) and control treatment (without P fertilization), combined with 500 mg dm^-3 of limestone or without limestone addition. The addition of increasing doses of P with lime provided increase on early growth and nutrient contents in seedlings of mahogany, however, without interactions. The maximum economic yield for dry matter production was obtained with 41.6 mg dm^-3 of P, associated with additional 500 mg dm^-3 of limestone.