Abstract

Four nitrogen concentrations (50, 100, 150, and 200 mg L -1) were evaluated on shoot and root growth, root growth potential, and nutritional status of cover root Eucalyptus globulus seedlings. Nutrient solutions were applied on a weekly basis together with irrigation. All other elements were held constant in the nutrient solutions. Irrigation was applied considering a 20% loss of the seedling tray. Plant height and leaf area reached their peak at 200 mg L -1; collar diameter, number and the absolute weight of new roots did not change when concentrations where 150 or 200 mg L -1. For all treatments the best results were obtained when the fertilization was made with 200 mg L -1 because it produced plants with higher root growth potential and better morphological attributes, with the only disadvantage of low levels of foliar nitrogen obtained at the end of the essay.