Production of melaleuca seedlings in response to nitrogen fertilization

Abstract

The objective of this work aimed to evaluate the effect of sources and doses of nitrogen on the initial growth and quality of Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel (melaluca) seedlings. The nitrogen sources were: ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate and ammonium sulfate, established in five doses (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg.dm^-3 of N) equally parceled out and applied on the 25^th, 50^th, 75^th and 100 days after transplanting. The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized blocks, in (3 x 5) factorial design, in red yellow latosol, with four repetitions.  After 125 days of transplanting collected data of height, collar diameter, aerial part dry weight and root, and the ration between height and collar diameter, height aerial part and dry weight, aerial part dry weight root and dry weight and Dickson quality index (IQD). There were no significant effects from the nitrogen sources, however the doses of N were positive and significant for all traits except for the ration between height and collar diameter. The best standards of seedlings quality were obtained from the application of 100 mg.dm^-3 of N.