Resumen

RINCON, José J.; GALLARDO, Yessica; LEAL, Mónica  y  ROJAS, Yubisay. EFFECTS OF THE SOIL CALCIUM:PHOSPHORUS RELATIONSHIP ON GROWTH OF YOUNG PLANTS OF ACACIA MANGIUM (WILLD). Bioagro [online]. 2003, vol.15, n.2, pp.97-105. ISSN 1316-3361.

The growth and nodulation rate of Acacia mangium (Willd) under nursery conditions was evaluated at four calcium:phosphorus relationships (10:1, 31:1, 44:1 and 133:1) to study the possibility of establishing the plant on the soils of Lara State, Venezuela. The mentioned relationships were obtained by using limed and non limed soil in combination with or without phosphorus fertilization to produce a factorial arrangement of four treatments in a complete randomized design with four replications. Evaluations were performed at 45, 90 and 135 days after sowing. The relation 10:1 (non limed soil, fertilized with phosphorus) at 90 days was superior (P£  0.05) to the rest of treatments with 35.25 cm/plant, 0.23 g/plant and 17.50 nodule/plant respectively for the variables of root length, dry matter of root, and nodulation. At 135 days, the same treatment was superior (P£  0.05) with 27.00 cm/plant, 39.50 cm/plant, 2.32 g/plant, 1.86 g/plant, 26.50 nodule/plant respectively for the height of the plant, root length, dry matter of aerial part and root, and nodulation. The relationship 10:1 resulted in higher growth and nodulation of A. mangium and a negative effect was produced at increased relationships. It seems that the establishment of the plant in the calcareous soils of Lara State may need a precise phosphorus fertilization.

Palabras clave : Forage legumes; root growth; calcareous soil; Lara State.