The effects of changes in substrate nutrient availability, as a function of doses and sources of phosphate and controlled release fertilizer were investigated in slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engel) seedlings. Pine seedlings were cultivated in substrate composed of 50% clay soil from the subsurface horizon of a Nitosol, and 50% pure sand, uniformly mixed. Fertilizer sources were: natural phosphate, soluble phosphate and a controlled release fertilizer, applied as half (0.18 kg P 2 O 5 m ) the recommended dose, in a completely randomized design, with four replications. Assessments were made during the early seedling growth stage by evaluating morphological parameters, dry mass and nutrient accumulation at 330 days after germination. Results showed that controlled release fertilizer gave the best seedling growth, the largest stem diameter and the highest values for dry mass accumulation at 330 days after germination. Natural and soluble phosphates were not as effective to promote pine seedlings development as controlled release fertilizer, but the soluble phosphate was much better than natural phosphate. ), total (0,36 kg P 2 O 5 m -3 ) e duas vezes (0,72 kg P 2 O 5 m -3 ) a recomendada em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados o desenvolvimento das mudas, parâmetros morfológicos, massa seca e acúmulo de nutrientes aos 330 dias após a germinação. Os resultados mostram que o fertilizante de liberação controlada promove melhor crescimento das mudas, maior diâmetro do caule e maior acúmulo de massa seca aos 330 dias após a germinação. Fosfatos naturais e solúveis não são eficazes na promoção do desenvolvimento de mudas de pinus em comparação com fertilizante de libertação controlada mas o fosfato solúvel ainda é muito melhor do que o fosfato natural.Palavras-chave: fertilizante de liberação controlada, nutrição florestal, Pinus elliottii, qualidade de mudas