MORPHOLOGICAL, ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF Acrocarpus fraxinifolius WIGHT & ARN SEEDLINGS ACCORDING TO CONTAINERS AND FERTILIZATION

ABSTRACT The production of quality seedlings coupled with the correct choice of fertilizer doses/sources and the container type are essential in the planting of forest species. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between morphological, physiological and anatomical characteristics and container volume with different fertilizations on Acrocarpus fraxinifolius seeds seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a 2 x 8 factorial scheme (2 volumes of containers and 8 fertilizations), tested in polypropylene tubes of 50 and 110 cm³ and according to different fertilizations: control without fertilization; 4 increasing doses of Osmocote® Plus: 3, 5, 7, 9 kg.per.m³ of substrate, respectively; and 3 split mineral fertilizers with coverings. It was possible to note that the tube with the greatest volume of 110 cm³ presented the best results regarding the morphological characteristics, however, when analyzing the physiological variables it was clear that the 50 cm³ tubes present similar results to those of larger volume when well fertilized. Split fertilization presented better results than slow-release fertilization, and 50 cm³ tubes were more sensitive to fertilization due to the lower volume. Thus, the use of 50 cm³ tubes with fertilization is recommended for producing A. fraxinifolius seedlings, due to presenting physiological quality and economy of inputs in nursery production, transportation and planting.