MINERAL NITROGEN SOURCES (N-NO3- AND N-NH4+) ON GROWTH OF GRÁPIA (Apuleia leiocarpa (Vog.) Macbride) SEEDLINGS

<p>Grápia <strong> </strong>(<em>Apuleia leiocarpa</em> (Vog.) Macbride) is an important native forest species that has been in extinction process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mineral nitrogen source on growth of grápia seedlings. Five variations in the concentration of N-NO₃^- and N-NH₄⁺(5:0, 4:1, 2,5:2,5, 1:4, and 0:5 mM of N) were tested in an entirely random statistical design with 16 replicates. The experimental unity consisted of a vessel containing 3,0 kg of a Paleudalf soil and two plants, under glasshouse conditions. From 60 to 150 days after fertilization (DAF), the plant growth and soil pH were monthly analyzed from four replicates randomly taken. Independently of the nitrogen source used, the soil pH decreased, and on 150 DAF the smallest pH variation was 0.33 and the largest one was 0.47 pH units, respectively, on treatments with 5 N-NO₃^-:0 N-NH₄⁺ and 0 N-NO₃^-:5 N-NH₄⁺ ratios. The presence of N-NH₄⁺, from 1 to 5 mM, induced necrosis in old leaves and their ulterior abscission. To 150 DAF, in the presence of 5 mM N-NH₄⁺, the plant survival was reduced to 31%. The effect of nitrogen sources on plant growth appeared to be depended on plant age and/or of their transformations in the soil. To 120 DAF, the presence of N-NH₄⁺ from 2,5 to 5 mM reduced the number of stalk nodes, plant height, stem diameter, dry weight of leaves, of stem, of roots, and of the whole plant. However, to 150 DAF, because of the regain on the growth rate, these differences were not observed, with exception of the root/shoot dry weight ratio that was reduced on the exclusive presence of N-NH₄⁺. The suitable N-NO₃^-:N-NH₄⁺ ratio in the fertilization to grow grápia seedlings, can not exceed, respectively, 4:1.