Ameliorization of soil acidity with Ca and Mg on the development of peach palm root system at the pre-nursery growth stage

Abstract

The effect of ameliorization of soil acidity with different sources of Ca and Mg on the initial development of the root system of peach palm was evaluated under nursery conditions. Soils classified as Andisol and Ultisol were used, as they represent the major soil orders of peach palm plantations of Costa Rica. Pre-germinated seedlings were planted in pots of 3.6 l with a basic fertilization of 600, 130 and 370 kg ha^-1 of N, P₂O₅ y K₂O, respectively. Treatments evaluated were: control and total neutralization of acidity with CaCO₃ and MgCO₃. Plantlets height, leaf number and dry weight were evaluated for the above ground part, and the lenght of the root system determined by the scanner method “Root Law”. At the end of the test, soil and leaf analyses around treatments were carried out. An statistical analysis of variables showed a significant effect of treatments on both soils. In general, treatments had no significant effect on dry weight and Fe foliar contents. The interaction soil x treatment was significant for Ca, Mg, K and foliar S contents, as well as for root size, not so for other variables considered. At the end of this work, significant effects of treatments were found on all soil variables and all evaluated nutrients on foliar tissue, with an exception of K. The soil x treatment parameter was positive only for foliar Ca.