EFFECT OF CALAGE IN THE CHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE SOIL AND IN THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF COCONUT SEEDLINGS
Acidity, aluminum toxicity, base saturation, coconut seedlings
Brazil ranks fifth in the world in coconut cultivation, and the state of Pará, although it is the fourth largest producer in the country, the expansion of production in the state has been limited by several factors, including those related to soil fertility . Among the limitations of the Amazonian soils linked to agricultural production, acidity stands out, with liming being the most used and widespread technique for the correction of acid soils. However, information generated at the level of research involving the effects of liming on the coconut palm crop is practically non-existent. As liming is considered a practice that directly acts to improve soil attributes linked to acidity and provides innumerable benefits to the diverse agricultural crops, the hypothesis of the study tested the capacity of improvement of the growth and development of coconut saplings cultivated in soils with application of limestone. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of liming on soil chemical attributes and the physiological, morphological, biochemical and nutritional responses of Dwarf coconut seedlings cultivated in Dystrophic Yellow Latosol in the state of Pará. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using seedlings at 4 months of age, the soil used as substrate was obtained from the arable layer from 0 to 20. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with nine replicates. The treatments consisted in the application of five doses of dolomitic limestone (0.45, 0.83, 1.20, 1.58 and 1.95 t.ha-1) with a view to base saturation (V%) of 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70, respectively, and one control (no limestone, V% equal 18). Data were submitted to analysis of variance at 5% probability, and when evidenced significant effect were submitted to regression analysis. The liming had a significant effect on soil chemical attributes (pH, H + Al, Ca + 2, Mg + 2, Al + 3, K, P available, CTC, V% in%) for leaf area, roots, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration, and no significant effect on plant height, internal CO2 concentration, instantaneous water use efficiency and intrinsic water use efficiency at all analyzed times.