Relationship between growth rate, fertilizing and foliar nutrient concentrations forEucalyptus grandis; preliminary investigations

Abstract

This is a third paper in a series on foliar nutrient concentrations for seedling crops ofEucalyptus grandis. It describes the relationship between foliar nutrient concentrations ofEucalyptus grandis and height growth rate as influenced by fertilizer application and liming in four comprehensive experiments. Tentative optimum levels for the foliar nutrient concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn and some ratios of macro-nutrients are indicated for the growing conditions at these experimental sites as well as their practical value and limitations. In a pooled analysis, 71 per cent of the variation in height growth was explained by the levels and ratios of nutrients and the rate of N and P application. All elements determined except Cu occurred in this prediction equation. The foliar levels of N, P, K and Mn, the N/P ratio and P application appear to be the most important explaining variables.