Resumo. This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the nutritional requirements and the effect of nutrient limitation over the development of baru seedlings (Dipteryx alata Vogel), using the nutrient limitation technique. The trial was established in a completely randomized design, with 12 treatments and 8 replicates. The adopted treatments were the following: complete 1 (C1 - fertilization with N, P, K, S, B, Cu, Zn and liming), complete 2 (C2 - fertilization with N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, B, Cu, Zn, with no liming), complete treatment with the omission of a nutrient at a time (C1-N, C1-P, C1-K, C1-S, C1-B, C1-Zn, C2-Ca, C2-Mg, C1-liming) and control (natural soil). We assessed plant height and diameter, and separated them into shoot and root system. The seedlings were dried, weighed, ground for the determination of nutrient content of the shoot dry matter. According to the results, the limitation of S and B did not affect the growth of Dipteryx alata seedlings. In general, P and N were the nutrients that most limited the growth of Baru seedlings. The sequence of nutritional requirements presented by the Baru seedlings, in decreasing order, considering the production of shoot dry biomass, was: P = N > Ca = Mg = Zn = K = S = B.