INITIAL GROWING AND MANAGEMENT IN EUCALYPTUS CLONES PLANTATIONS USING CONTROLLED RELEASE FERTILIZERS

Abstract

The slow release fertilizers, release the nutrients over time, aiming to synchronize with the plant's demand for the nutrient, with the reduction of its loss to the environment. The use of this fertilizer can promote benefits, such as reducing the need for top dressing and reducing labor costs. The objective of this work was to test the efficiency and adequ ate doses of P in slow release fertilizer (SRF) in base fertilization, as well their influence in cover fertilization in eucalyptus plantations. Was tested four doses of base fertilization (0, 85, 125 e 165 g of SRF plant^-1 applied with SRF) and two applications of cover fertilizer (0 and 80g of N:P:K-20:00:20). Height, diameter at ground height, canopy area, dry mass of the aerial part was measured.  The dose of maximum technical efficiency was calculated. There was an interaction between height and canopy area, which demonstrated similar growth with and without cover fertilization for all doses of SRF. We recommend the use SRF at a dose of 125 g of SRF plant^-1, without performing cover fertilizer.