Seedling production for reforestation aims to achieve the best plant growth in a minimal amount of time, to provide good survival and growth levels after transplantation. During cultivation, it is necessary to know the shading levels that lead to the best growth. The objective of this study was to assess the growth of young Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. plants provided with various amounts of shade in the northeast semi-arid region of Brazil. Four types of shade cloth were tested (0, 30, 50 and 70%). Shoot length, stem diameter, stem dry matter, leaf dry matter, total dry matter and leaf area were assessed. Leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, absolute growth rate, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate were also calculated. The different shading levels affected M. caesalpinifolia growth, with the best growth indicators observed in plants grown under 50% shade, with increases in plant height, leaf area and total dry matter observed compared to the full sun condition.
The use of native tree species for restoration of degraded areas is often hindered by the lack of information about the nutritional requirements of seedlings at the nursery stage. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the growth and morphological responses of Handroanthus impetiginosus seedlings to mineral nitrogen fertilization. The experiment was carried out from July to October 2013 in a seedling nursery under 50% shade cloth. Seeds were germinated for 15 days in low density polystyrene trays and then transplanted into 0.9-L polyethylene plastic bags. A complete randomized block design was used, with four replications and four plants per experimental unit. Treatments consisted of five nitrogen levels (0, 50, 150, 300 and 450 mg N dm-3), using ammonium sulfate as the nitrogen source. Two months after transplanting, the following variables were assessed: leaf chlorophyll content; leaf area; specific leaf area; leaf area ratio; root, stem, leaf and total dry mass; shoot dry mass/root dry mass ratio; shoot height/shoot dry mass ratio; and Dickson quality index. Mineral nitrogen fertilization improved seedling growth by promoting higher results of the leaf chlorophyll content, leaf area and shoot dry mass production. Thus, fertilized seedlings significantly expanded their leaves and invested more in shoot growth, improving their hardiness and quality. The nitrogen level of 240 mg dm-3 was considered to be the most effective for production of H. impetiginosus seedlings.
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