Nutritional evaluation of rubber tree plantations at Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutritional status of rubber tree plantations at Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, to contribute with fertilization programs. Soil class, fertility levels, nutritional state and production of dry rubber were determined in rubber plantations of the clone IAN 873. Most plantations occur over extremely acid Oxisols with high contents of Al and low values of N, P, K, sum of exchangeable basis and cation exchange capacity. Calcium and Mg contents varied from medium to high and showed negative correlation with dry rubber production. Plant analysis showed unbalanced contents of N and K with low values but positive and significant correlation with dry rubber production. Significant and negative correlation between dry rubber production and Ca contents, associated to high contents of Mg, showed that these nutrients may be reduced in fertilization schemes. Copper was the only micronutrient that showed a significant correlation with dry rubber production, and it was positive.