GROWTH OF THE NEEM (Azadirachta indica A. Juss. - MELIACEAE) SEEDLINGS UNDER WATER DEFICIT

This work was performed aiming to evaluate the growth of neem seedlings (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) under water deficit. The experimental design was entirely randomized. with seven treatments (100, 80, 60, 40 and 20% of field capacity, without water and re-watering). The height, number of leaves and stem diameter were analyzed weekly. At the end of the experiment, dry matter of the leaves, shoots, roots, root to shoot ratio and biomass allocation in leaf, stem and roots were determined. Leaf area, leaf area ratio and specific leaf area were also calculated. Water stress reduced the height, number of leaves and shoot diameter in the plants of the several treatments. Water stress reduced leaf stem and root dry matter. Only the biomass allocation to leaves was reduced. Leaf area was also reduced; however, there were not significant differences for leaf area ratio and specific leaf area. The recovery of the re-watering plants was evident by emitting new leaves. The results suggest that neem seedlings must be cultivated. in the initial phase of development, under 80% of field capacity, with maximum production.