In order to study nutritional aspects and lack of nutrients on the development of plants, a greenhouse experiment was carried out with seedlings of ipé-roxo (
Tabebuia impetiginosa
(Mart.) Sandwith). As substrate, an oxisol with low nutrients availability was used and distributed in 10 treatments: a complete one (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B and Zn), the others lacking one element in each treatment (-N, -P, -K, -Ca, -Mg, -B and -Zn) and a control (natural substrate). The following characteristics were assessed: diameter growth, plant height and dry matter production. Based on the results, it was conclude that: a) the N and P nutrients must be priority in mineral fertilization of this species; b) sequence of demand nutrition presented by the
Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart.) Sandwith seedlings in relation to the complete treatment, considering the production of dry matter of the aerial part in decreasing order was: P> N> S> B> Zn> Mg> Ca> K.
