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Photosynthetic parameters of young Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H. B.) plants subjected to fertilization in a degraded area in Central Amazonia

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Photosynthetica

Abstract

In an experimental site for reforestation of degraded area, three-year-old plants of Bertholletia excelsa Humb. & Bonpl. were subjected to different fertilization treatments: T0 = unfertilized control, T1 = green fertilization (branches and leaves) and T2 = chemical fertilization. Higher net photosynthetic rates (P N) were observed in T1 [13.2±1.0 μmol(CO2) m−2 s−1] compared to T2 [8.0±1.8 μmol(CO2) m−2 s−1] and T0 [4.8±1.3 μmol(CO2) m−2 s−1]. Stomatal conductance (g s), transpiration rate (E) and water use efficiency (WUE) of individuals of T1 and T2 did not differ significantly, however, they were by 88, 55 and 63%, respectively, higher in T1 than in the control. The mean values of variable fluorescence (Fv), performance index (P.I.) and total chlorophyll [Chl (a+b)] were higher in T1. Our results indicate that green fertilization improves photosynthetic structure and function in plants of B. excelsa in young phase.

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Abbreviations

Car :

carotenoids

Chl a :

chlorophyll a

Chl b :

chlorophyll b

Chl (a+b):

total chlorophyll

E :

transpiration rate

g s :

stomatal conductance

Fm :

maximum fluorescence

(Fv = Fm - F0):

variable fluorescence

Fv/Fm :

maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII

F0 :

initial fluorescence

P N :

net photosynthetic rate

P.I.:

performance index

T0:

unfertilized control

T1:

green fertilization

T2:

chemical fertilization

WUE:

water use efficiency

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Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to the National Institute of Amazonian Research (MCT-INPA) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq, Brazil) for their financial support of this study. Many thanks to CMA-1oBIS-Amv in Manaus for their logistical support in the field. Further thanks are given to rewievers for their constructive comments on this manuscript and Dr. Ted R. Feldpausch (University of Leeds) for reviewing an early version of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (MCT-INPA), Coordenação de Pesquisas em Silvicultura Tropical, Caixa Postal 478, Manaus, 69011-970, AM, Brazil

    M. J. Ferreira, J. F. C. Gonçalves & J. B. S. Ferraz

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  1. M. J. Ferreira
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  2. J. F. C. Gonçalves
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  3. J. B. S. Ferraz
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Correspondence to J. F. C. Gonçalves.

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Ferreira, M.J., Gonçalves, J.F.C. & Ferraz, J.B.S. Photosynthetic parameters of young Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H. B.) plants subjected to fertilization in a degraded area in Central Amazonia. Photosynthetica 47, 616–620 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-009-0088-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-009-0088-2

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