This paper aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of luminosity and nitrogen addition on the height of mate plants in the first year of growth. The experiment was arranged in randomized blocks, with three replicates, in four treatments and two sub-treatments, in a total of 16 plots per block, in a factorial design, with the luminosity in four different intensities (100%, 70%, 50% and 30%) and the nitrogen application as the intervening variable on the plots. Data were collected every 45 days, in three daily schedules during three consecutive days, over one year. It was found that the best conditions to plant growth were 50% and 30% luminosity. The nitrogen addition have no relevant influence in plant growth, particularly at 100% and 70% luminosity, while the increase in luminosity contributed to the reduction in plant growth. However, the fertilized plants (1N) increased regrowth. Nitrogen addition at high doses damaged the mate plants and caused death of mate plants in the plots with higher luminosity.
Ilex paraguariensis; light; growth
