Gypsum effects on eucalyptus nutrition in subtropical Brazil

Authors: FERREIRA, CARLA - Universidade Federal Do Parana; BASSACO, MARCOS - Universidade Federal Do Parana; ARAUJO, ELOA - Universidade Federal Do Parana; PAULETTI, ELOA - Universidade Federal Do Parana; Prior, Stephen - Steve; MOTTA, ANTONIO - Universidade Federal Do Parana

Submitted to: Brazilian Journal of Development
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2020
Publication Date: 5/30/2020
Citation: Ferreira, C., Bassaco, M., Araujo, E., Pauletti, E., Prior, S.A., Motta, A. 2020. Gypsum effects on eucalyptus nutrition in subtropical Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Development. 6(5):25160-25177. https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv6n5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv6n5

Interpretive Summary: Agricultural gypsum can be applied as a soil conditioner and source of Ca and S for plants. Eucalyptus urograndis is an important timber species and carbon sink in southern Brazil. This study investigated applying gypsum (0; 0.3; 0.6; 1.2; 2.4; 4.8 and 9.6 Mg/ha at planting) on the growth of Eucalyptus urograndis at two locations (Jaguariaíva and Ventania) in the Paraná state of subtropical Brazil. Although growth differences were noted between sites (Ventania > Jaguariaíva) possibly due to planting season and climate differences, gypsum did not impact growth factors at the end of 36 months. Differences in plant height seen at 30 months of age did not persist in subsequent evaluations. The lack of eucalyptus response to gypsum are discussed in terms of soil factors, resistance of eucalyptus to soil acidity, and climatic conditions in the period evaluated.

Technical Abstract: Agricultural gypsum can used as a source of Ca and S for plants with applications of a few hundred kilos per hectare. But when applied at rates higher than a few tons per hectare, it can act as an acid soil conditioner. To determine effects of gypsum application on development of Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis clone (E. urograndis) in subtropical Brazil, an experiment was conducted at two locations: Jaguariaíva and Ventania, Paraná state. Soil in both areas was classified as Red-Yellow Latosol and had been previously cultivated with Pinus without fertilization and liming. Gypsum was surface broadcast at rates of 0; 0.3; 0.6; 1.2; 2.4; 4.8 and 9.6 Mg/ha at planting. Diameter at neck height (DAC), diameter at breast height (DAP), and plant height (H) were determined every six months, and individual tree volume and total (V) were determined after 36 months. There was a difference in growth between sites possibly due planting season and climate differences; at 36 months, Jaguariaíva had DBH and H of 15.90 cm and 18.40 m compared to 15.96 cm and 19.54 m at Ventania, respectively. Agricultural gypsum did not influence eucalyptus DAP, H, or V at the end of 36 months. Only H at 30 months of age showed a small linear effect that did not persist in subsequent evaluations. Absence of plant response to gypsum as a source of Ca and S or soil conditioner are discussed based on soil factors, resistance of eucalyptus to soil acidity, and climatic conditions in the period evaluated.