FERTILIZATION EFFECTS ON EUCALYPTUS PELLITA F. MUELL PRODUCTIVITY IN THE COLOMBIAN ORINOCO REGION

ABSTRACT The Orinoco region, is the one with the largest area for forest development. Nonetheless, some of its soils are acid and characterized by low fertility levels, which has considerably limited plantation productivity. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the effects of soil fertilizing and liming by using phosphorus and potassium on 34-month-old Eucalyptus pellita productivity. Tests have been carried out at: Villanueva, Casanare; Puerto Lopez, Meta and La Primavera, Vichada, under a random block design with a factor arrangement of 3x3x3, equivalent to: 0, 1 and 3 Mg ha-1 of dolomitic lime (LIME); 30, 75 and 120 kg ha-1 of P (P2O5) as well as 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1 of K (K2O). Timber productivity volume was assessed 34 months after planting, obtaining significant differences. In Puerto Lopez, LIME effect on E. pellita growth followed a simple linear model, whereas a logarithmic behavior was observed in La Primavera and Villanueva. P2O5 effect (p<0.01) on timber volume was observed only in La Primavera, following a square-root model. K2O did not have a significant effect (p>0.05) on E. pellita growth. The results obtained indicate the positive effect on E. pellita growth in the three areas of study by using doses of approximately 1 Mg ha-1 of lime; and 120 kg ha-1 of P2O5 in La Primavera.