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

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 (PN) 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 (gs), 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. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.