-Levels of Zn in tropical soils profoundly influences growth and nutrition of tree crops. Research was undertaken to assess the effect of soil Zn on growth and nutrition of clonal cacao tree seedlings of PH 16. Three acidic Oxisol soils differing in texture were used with nine doses of Zn (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 48, ). Rooted clonal seedlings were grown in plastic pot with 11 dm -3 of the soils at varying Zn levels for 240 days. At harvest growth (dry matter mass of leaves, stems, shoots, roots, and total) and nutrient concentrations were determined. The clonal cacao seedlings showed differences for production of dry matter mass and foliar nutrient concentrations for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu. There was Zn toxicity in all soils. Index terms: Theobroma cacao L., micronutrient, calibration fertilization. -3 dos solos com níveis variáveis de Zn, por 240 dias. Na colheita, o crescimento (massa de matéria seca de folhas, caules, brotos, raízes e total) e os teores de macro e micronutrientes foram determinados. As mudas clonais de cacau apresentaram diferenças para a produção de massa de matéria seca e teores de nutrientes foliares para P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn e Cu. Houve toxidez de Zn em todos os solos. Termos para indexação: Theobroma cacao L., micronutriente, calibração de adubação.
CRESCIMENTO E NUTRIÇÃO DE MUDAS DE
