Abstract

RIBEIRO, H. M.; VASCONCELOS, E.; RAMOS, A.  and  COUTINHO, J.. Evaluation of nitrogen status of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. ssp. globulus mother plants with a portable chlorophyll meter. Rev. de Ciências Agrárias [online]. 2009, vol.32, n.1, pp.40-49. ISSN 0871-018X.

With the aim of evaluating the use of the portable chlorophyll meter “Minolta SPAD 502” readings (SPAD readings) as an indicator of the nitrogen status of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. ssp. globulus (E. globulus) mother plants, a nitrogen fertilization experiment with this species was performed. Mother plants of two clones (HD 161 and CN5) of E. globulus were grown in an open-air nursery, in 12 L pots. Plants received 5 different nutrient solutions containing 50, 100, 200, 400 e 800 mg N L^-1. During 1999, mother plants were subjected to a formative pruning. During 2000 and 2001 the following parameters were evaluated: number of cuttings produced, rooting ability of the cuttings, nitrogen content of the youngest fully expanded leaf, and leaf SPAD readings. Results obtained showed a significant asymptotic relationship between nitrogen availability and SPAD readings and a linear, positive and significant relationship between SPAD readings (y) and nitrogen leaf contents (x, g kg ^–1): y=23,27+0,75x; r=0.94; n=150. Results also showed a good fitting of quadratic model to the relationship between SPAD readings and the mother plants production (cuttings production and rooting ability of the cuttings). The determination coefficients (78%) were similar to those obtained when the model was adjusted to the relationship between leaf nitrogen and mother plants production (80%). Results indicate that, in this experiment, SPAD readings can be used to evaluate nitrogen status of E. globulus mother plants with a diagnostic “quality” similar to leaf nitrogen contents.

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