Effect of liming and phosphate fertilization on initial growth and nutrition of Khaya ivorensis plants

The african mahogany (Khaya ivorensis A. Chev.) is another forest species that has been standing out in commercial crops in Brazil. However, there is little information on the need to correct soil acidity and plant nutrition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interference of liming and phosphate fertilization on soil chemical attributes, initial growth and plant nutrition. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six replications, in the 2 x 5 factorial arrangement. The treatments were two levels of liming (without and with) and five doses of phosphorus (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg dm- 3 of P). Plant seedlings (16.5 m height) were planted in 6.0 L pots, filled with air dry soil and sieved in a 4.0 mm mesh. After 240 days of planting, soil chemical attributes, dry mass and nutrient concentrations of leaves, stems and roots were quantified. Soil liming with basal saturation of 38.5% did not increase plant growth, but contributed to the reduction of acidity, increase of Ca and Mg concentration in soil and leaves. Phosphate fertilization increased P availability in the soil and contributed to the higher growth of african mahogany plants.