Mineral contents of Acacia mangium Willd under defoliation conditions

• T. Clavero Universidad del Zulia-Venezuela
• E. Miquelena Universidad del Zulia-Venezuela
• A. Rodríguez Petit Universidad del Zulia-Venezuela

Palabras clave: Acacia mangium, mineral composition, defoliation

Resumen

In an Acacia mangium Willd plantation, located in the western part of Venezuela, a trial was carried out to assess the mineral content of leaves of cacia mangium under three defoliation frequencies (6, 9 and 12 weeks) and three defoliation heights (50, 75 and 100 cm). The factors studied were combined in a factorial arrangement of a random block design with three replications. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) for the frequency and height of defoliation on the concentrations of K, Mn and Zn. The data showed that levels of Ca, Mg, Na and P were affected by maturity. Mineral contents redution with advancing maturity may be due to a natural dilution process.