Liming and phosphate fertilization in seedlings formation of cagaiteira

The cagaiteira (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) is an important fruit species native from Brazilian Cerrado that has economic potential for food and pharmaceutical sectors and the recovery of degraded areas. Knowledge about crop management is still limited, including fertilization methods. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of lime and phosphorus (P) application on nutrition, growth, dry matter production and physiological aspects of cagaiteira seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications, in a 5x4 factorial scheme, five base saturation levels (24.5, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) and four P rates (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg dm-³). At 180 days after transplanting, gas exchange, biometrics (diameter, height and leaf area), dry mass production, seedling quality (Dickson Quality Index - DQI) and nutrient content were evaluated. The results were subjected to analysis of variance (p