The Role of Phosphate Fertilization on Physiological Responses of the Young <i>Bertholletia excelsa</i> Plants Grown in a P-Deficient Amazon Ferralsol
Viviane Corrêa,
José Gonçalves,
Karen Costa,
Igor Oliveira,
José Santos,
Sabrina Oliveira,
Marciel Ferreira,
Roberval Lima,
Wagner Araújo,
Adriano Nunes-Nesi
Affiliations
Viviane Corrêa
Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology (IFRO), Rua Rio Amazonas, 151, Jardim dos Migrantes, Ji-Paraná 76900-310, RO, Brazil
José Gonçalves
Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Institute for Amazonian Research (MCTI-INPA), Avenida André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, Manaus 69011-970, AM, Brazil
Karen Costa
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Studies in Agrarian and Regional Development (IEDAR), Federal University of South and Southeast of Pará (UNIFESSPA), Rodovia BR-230 (Transamazônica), Cidade Jardim, Marabá 68500-000, PA, Brazil
Igor Oliveira
Bionorte Graduate Program (BIONORTE), Amazonas State University, Rua Carvalho Leal A, 1777, Bairro Cachoeirinha, Manaus 69065-001, AM, Brazil
José Santos
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), Avenida General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 1200, Coroado I, Manaus 69067-005, AM, Brazil
Sabrina Oliveira
Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Institute for Amazonian Research (MCTI-INPA), Avenida André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo, Manaus 69011-970, AM, Brazil
Marciel Ferreira
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), Avenida General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 1200, Coroado I, Manaus 69067-005, AM, Brazil
Roberval Lima
Embrapa Western Amazon, Research and Development, Rodovia AM 010, km 29, Manaus 69010-970, AM, Brazil
Wagner Araújo
Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Avenida PH Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil
Adriano Nunes-Nesi
Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Avenida PH Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil
Phosphorus (P) reacts with soil minerals, which makes it less available to plants. Considering that Amazonian soils have a low pH and nutrient availability, both of these properties contribute to an increase in P limitation. Here, we investigate how the addition of P to the substrate affects morpho-physiological traits of Brazil nut trees (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with 24-month-old saplings, and the P treatments consisted of a control (Ferrasol without P addition) and 100, 200, 400, and 500 mg P kg−1 of added to the soil. When B. excelsa saplings were fertilized with phosphate, the N:P leaf ratio reduced from 50 to 26. Addition of P favored the photochemical efficiency of PSII (FV/FM), and the application of 200 mg kg−1 increased photosynthesis (PN) by 50%. Furthermore, phosphorus enhanced light and nutrient use efficiency. An increase in B. excelsa dry biomass was observed when 200 mg P kg−1 was added, with maximum yield occurring at 306.2 mg P kg−1. Physiological parameters suggest robust responses by B. excelsa to P fertilization. In addition, our findings reveal the critical role of P on B. excelsa growth in Ferralsol, as well as the potential of P fertilization to improve functional traits of this important Amazonian tree.
