GROWTH OF Corymbia citriodora (HOOK.) K. D. HILL & L. A. S. JOHNSON PLANTS UNDER DIFFERENT POTASSIUM DOSES AND MOISTURE LEVELS

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of potassium and soil moisture levels on the growth of Corymbia citriodora plants. Four doses of potassium were applied (0, 40, 80 and 120 mg dm-3) and three soil moisture levels were established (50-80%, 65-80% and 80% of maximum soil field capacity). The experiment was a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments within a randomized complete design with six replications for each treatment and one pot with two plants for each plot. At 94 days after planting, the plant growth parameters: survival percentage, height, stem diameter, leaf number and area, leaf dry mass, stem and branches dry mass, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, total dry mass, length and diameter of roots, chlorophyll content index, chlorophylls concentrations, leaf macronutrient contents and amounts, and efficiency of potassium utilization by leaves were measured. The increase of soil moisture level benefited the growth of Corymbia citriodora plants and phosphorus, sulfur and magnesium uptake. The potassium application did not promote alleviation of negative effects caused by low water availability on plant growth.