Micronutrients of above-ground bracatinga biomass under different sites, ages and diameter classes

Abstract

The aims of this research were to quantify and analyze the micronutrient concentration and content of Mimosa scabrella above-ground biomass under different sites, ages and diameter classes, in Curitiba metropolitan region, Paraná State, Brazil. Twenty five trees were sampled in several localities of the study area, which were separated in different biomass components, as follow: leaves, twigs, branches, stem wood and bark. After the biomass survey in the field, samples of each tree component were carried out to the laboratory for dry weight and micronutrient determination. The trees were grouped by site, age and diameter classes, which constituted the treatments of a completely random statistical design. According to the results, the micronutrient concentrations assumed a decreasing order as follow: Mn > Fe > Cu > Zn. The stem wood presented the highest quantity of micronutrient, considering the tree above-ground biomass. The micronutrient concentrations didn’t present clear tendencies according to site, age and diameter classes. Only the diameter classes had exerted significant and coherent effects on the micronutrient contents of the studied species.