Effects of Nutrient Deprivation on the Growth and Development of Tabebuia rosea Seedlings

Abstract

1Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Medellín, Medellín, Colombia 2Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Medellín, Grupo de Investigación en Restauración Ecológica de Tierras Degradadas en el Trópico, Medellín, Colombia 3Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Medellín, Faculdad de Ciencias, Medellín, Colombia 4Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Medellín, Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas, Medellín, Colombia Abstract Tabebuia rosea is a native tropical tree species with high potential of implementation in commercial reforestation and ecological restoration. We studied the effect of the suppression of essential nutrients on the growth of T. rosea in the nursery. The design was completely randomized with ten treatments: one that included full fertilization, another without fertilization, and the others with the suppression of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, and cationic microelements. Biometric variables (height, stem diameter, shoot dry weight, root dry weight) and functional traits (leaf area and relative growth rate) were evaluated. Phosphorus was the most limiting element. On the contrary, the suppression of Ca generated plants with growth and development similar to those of the FF treatment. Our results confirmed the importance of knowing the particular nutritional needs of individual species, which is to support nursery fertilization practices that produce highly vigorous and quality plants.