Effect of liming and phosphorus sources on soil fertility, growth, and nutritional status of guava seedlings in three tropical soils

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a widely consumed tropical fruit. Although its production is expanding, there are few studies on phosphorus (P) source efficiency in soils with different acidity levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of liming and P source on the nutritional status and growth of guava seedlings in three soil types. The experimental arrangement was completely randomized in a factorial scheme (2 × 3 × 3), consisting of two limestone rates (0.0 and 5.0 Mg ha⁻¹), three soil types (typical Red Oxisol, typical Yellow Oxisol, and typical Yellow Ultisol), and three P sources (natural Arad phosphate, Yoorin thermophosphate, and triple superphosphate) with three replicates. Liming and P source influenced soil chemical attributes, as well as the growth and nutrient concentrations in the tissues of guava seedlings. Mehlich 1 extractant gave the highest available P levels in the three soils compared with Mehlich 3 and ion exchange resin.

KEYWORD:

• Growth components
• nutritional status
• soil chemical attributes
• P extractants
• Psidium guajava

Acknowledgments

The first author acknowledge the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for providing scholarships as well as the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for an award for excellence in research to the fourth author.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.