Hydrogel associated with soil moisture levels in the cultivation of Eucalyptus urograndis

ABSTRACT

Although technological advances have occurred in the Brazilian forestry sector, there is still no standardization regarding the amount of water to be applied at different stages of plant development, and doses of soil moisture conditioners, modifying the reduction of water deficit in soils under cultivation of Eucalyptus urograndis. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the use of hydrogel associated with soil moisture levels in Eucalyptus urograndis. The study was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal University of Reconcavo of Bahia. The treatments consisted of four levels of soil moisture (50, 75, 100 and 125%), from water in the soil, and four doses of available hydrogel (0; 1.5; 3.0 and 4.5 g L^-1), in a randomized design in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme, with 16 treatments and 4 replications. The evaluations evaluated were: height (H), stem diameter (DC), chlorophyll A, B and total indices, stem dry mass (MSC), leaf dry mass (MSF), shoot dry mass (MSPA), root dry mass (MSR), shoot dry mass/root dry mass (MSPA/MSR), total dry mass (MST) and height/diameter (H/DC). The use of hydrogel increases water availability in dystrocohesive Yellow Oxisol and reduces the effect of water deficit in Eucalyptus urograndis. A dose of 3.0 g L^-1 of hydrogel provides better growth and phytomass production of Eucalyptus urograndis, when the initial soil moisture level is around field capacity.

Keywords
Water deficit; Hydrogel doses; Dystrocohesive Yellow Oxisol