NUTRITIONAL EFFICIENCY OF EUCALYPTUS CLONES IN THE SEEDLING PHASE IN NUTRIENT SOLUTION

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the biomass production and nutritional efficiency of seedlings of eucalyptus clones in nutrient solution, to characterize the macronutrient uptake, translocation and utilization efficiency. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using seedlings of six eucalyptus clones (58, 386, GG100, I042, I144, and VM1), grown in nutrient solution. The treatments, represented by the six clones, were distributed in a completely randomized design, with four replications. The eucalyptus clones differed from each other in biomass production and in nutritional efficiency. Differences were detected in the uptake efficiency, translocation and utilization of the macronutrients in relation to the different eucalyptus clones, as well as in function of the nutrient. In a general way, the clones can be ranked for nutritional efficiency in the following sequence: I144 > 386 > 58 approximate to GG100 > VM1 > I042. Clone I144 was most efficient, mainly for N, P, K, Mg and S, with higher uptake and utilization efficiency of these nutrients in biomass production. Clone I042 was inefficient in uptake and utilization of all macronutrients, compromising biomass production. VM1 stood out among the other clones as the most efficient in the translocation of all macronutrients to the aerial part of the eucalyptus seedlings. The differences identified in this study in terms of nutritional efficiency of eucalyptus clones in the seedling phase suggest the possibility of selection of eucalyptus genotypes for distinct soil fertility conditions.