Effect of liming on the mineral nutrition and initial growth of eucalyptus under field conditions planted in humic Latosol (Oxisol) from Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

This work was done to study the effects of dolomite lime dosages, incorporated into the soil in the planting pit; upon soil properties, initial growth and nutritional status of plants from a clone of Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla. The soil had a clayed texture, called humic Dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol (Oxisol), and was acid and rich in organic matter in depth. The treatments consisted of liming at 0, 100, 300, 400 and 500 g per pit. The experimental design used was of randomized blocks, with four replications. Measured were: plant height, diameter 1.2 m above soil and the leaf chemical analysis at eight months after planting. Soil chemical analyses were made before lime application and at three months after planting. The present work lead to the conclusion that liming is recommended for eucalyptus planted in humic Latosol, using 300 g per pit, which resulted in the equivalent of 64% of soil base saturation. Values higher than this cause growth reduction and nutrition imbalance, decrease N and Mn amounts and increase Ca/Mg ratio in the leaves.