The aim of this study was to test the effect of three methods of estimating the DRIS indices on the nutritional status of eucalipt plantations, based on the grouping of these indices by the Nutrient Application Potential Response Method. Nutrient concentrations of tree leaf, branch, stembark and stemwood, determined in 1986 trees of Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla hybrids growing in the States of Espírito Santo and Bahia, Brazil, were evalued by the methods of Jones, Elwali and Gascho, and Wadt et al. (Beaufils Range Method). This latter method indicated the highest number of sites with adequate nutrient supplies, but it was very similar to the Elwali and Gascho Method, with reference to the frequency of nutrient considered in the deficiency level. Jones' Method showed the highest frequency of nutrient considered in the deficiency level. The use of Nutrient Application Potential Response Method led to similar results among the three methods, thus allowing the use of any of them to diagnose nutritional status of forest plantations.
DRIS; nutritional deficiency; Eucalyptus