GROWTH AND DISTRIBUTION OF FINE ROOTS OF Acacia mangium UNDER TWO FARMING SYSTEMS
Soil management, Reforestation, Fast growth species
Knowledge about the root system, especially the behavior of the fine roots in different management conditions, is important to understand the physiological behavior of the aerial part of the tree. Acacia mangium has been used for forestation and reforestation due to its rapid growth and good development in soils with low water and nutritional availability. The objective of this study was to study the growth and distribution of fine roots of Acacia mangium under two farming methods after 12 and 48 months of age. The experimental design was a randomized block design with two cultivation methods (A = less intensive and B = more intensive) and four replicates considering three positions (L-row, E-between the rows and D-diagonal) and three depths (0- 20, 20-40, 40-60). In both treatments the highest density of fine roots was found in the superficial layer of the soil (0 to 20 cm), tending to reduce with depth from 12 months to 48 months of age. The addition of bovine manure, triple superphosphate, limestone and the performance of the furrows did not favor the production and vertical distribution of fine roots.