ABSTRACT Growth analysis (GA) is used to quantify plant development based on morphophysiological changes. GA is a practical tool to evaluate nursery techniques to make them more efficient. The objective of this essay was to quantity measure morphophysiological growth variables of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla and Hymenaea courbaril (jatoba) container seedlings to characterize growth stages. The essay was conducted in a shade house located in the western state of Paraná. GA analyses were performed at 10-day intervals on seedlings of both species. When evaluating Hymenaea courbaril seedlings results indicated increased values of height, diameter, root and shoot dry biomass up to 130 days after emergence (DAE). Seedling growth stage-based GA were 70, 100 and 130 DAE for the Eucalyptus hybrid and 50, 80, and 110 DAE for jatoba which presented accelerated, intermediate and reduced seedling growth.

ABSTRACT The forestry production sector uses several strategies to minimize post-planting seedling losses. Some practices can modulate characteristics of interest for plant growth and defense, including changes in the light exposure, reduced watering, fertilization, and chemical or mechanical stimulus. This work quantified morphophysiological changes on Schinus terebinthifolius and Cedrela fissilis seedlings resulting from the application of salicylic acid for eight weeks. The experimental design was completely randomized, composed of four treatments (0, 100, 200, and 300 mg L-1 of salicylic acid). The quantified variables included height, diameter, and dry matter mass of the root and aerial parts. Additionally, leaf area, root-cell electrolyte loss, lignin content in roots, and stem plus phenolic compounds were quantified. On aroeira seedlings, the height, aerial, and radicular dry matter masses and leaf area were reduced while the diameter and the lignin content increased directly as a function of salicylic acid doses. In cedro seedlings the dose of 100 mg L-1, however, resulted in a better balance of plant biomass and would, therefore, be the most indicated dose for the species. The application of salicylic acid for 8 weeks on seedlings of both species resulted in the most relevant morphophysiological modifications correlated with quality characteristics of seedlings of woody species.

Abstract Exogenous application of stress inductors can facilitate and accelerate some biological responses that promote plant defense. The objective of the experiment was to quantify some compounds linked to nitrogen metabolism as a function of the application of salicylic acid in Schinus terebinthifolius seedlings submitted to water deficit. The experiment was constituted of four doses of salicylic acid and three periods of water deficit. Quantifications included levels of nitrate, free ammonium, total soluble amino acids, proteins, proline, glycine-betaine and relative water content. When evaluating the relative water content in seedlings of Schinus terebinthifolius at 8 days, it was observed that the dose of 200 mg L-1. Seedlings showed physiological responses when subjected to doses of salicylic acid of 200 and 300 mg L-1. The increase in concentration of proline and glycine are advantageous, because these substances act as osmoregulators and cell protectors against deficit hydrical.