Revista Cubana de Ciencias Forestales (Apr 2022)
Morpho-physiological response of Ochroma pyramidale produced in nurseries by biopot technology to N, P, K fertilisation using an optimal custom design
Abstract
Ochroma pyramidale is a fast-growing species with high commercial value. The largest volumes of its wood are obtained from commercial plantations; however, there are very few studies of its production in nurseries. The objective of this study was analyse the effect of N, P, K concentration and fertilisation frequency on morpho-physiological response of O. pyramidale grown in biopots using response surface methodology. The experiment was set up using the response surface methodology for which 30 seedlings were used per experimental run. The experiment consisted of applying different concentrations of N, P, K and two fertilisation frequencies according to the optimal (Custom) design. The response variables were height increase, diameter increase and CO2 assimilation. From the results obtained, we confirmed the positive effect of N, P and K fertilisation on the variables under study. From the experimental data, a second-order quadratic polynomial model was found that allows the prediction of the morpho-physiological response of the species. The frequency of fertilisation during the time interval studied was not significant.
