Drought Resistance and Development of Eucalyptus Grandis Seedlings Treated with Biofertilizers and Organic Fertilizers

Climate change is affecting the way people carry out traditional practices, as there is a need for new approaches that cater to new environmental conditions. Synthetic fertilizer use has increased worldwide as it is easy to apply and shows quicker results. However, their use can cause detrimental environmental pollution and long-term problems. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers on the growth performance, seedling morphology, and drought tolerance of Eucalyptus grandis seedlings. The average measured height was longer for seedlings treated with organic fertilizers than for those treated with biofertilizer and untreated seedlings. Similarly, the average number of leaves was higher for seedlings treated with organic liquid fertilizers compared to the untreated and those treated with biofertilizers under active management in the nursery. When subjected to prolonged water stress, the seedlings treated with organic fertilizers did not survive, while those treated with biofertilizers and those not treated survived. Further studies should assess the long-term water requirements and field survival of seedlings treated with liquid organic fertilizers. The experiment could be repeated over a long period to see if there is a difference in the survival of seedlings after transplant.