Induced deficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in lulo seedlings

Abstract

Lulo (Solanum quitoense), species used in food and natural medicine, has potential for expansion in Brazilian climatic conditions. However, more research should be conducted in order to provide informations to producers for the best crop management. In this sense, it is aimed to evaluate the effect of nutrients omission N, P and K on the growth, development and nutritional status of Lulo seedlings aimed the nutritional management of seedlings. The seedlings grown from seeds in plastic bags in greenhouse, at Federal University of Viçosa. After four months were transferred to complete nutrient solution and solutions prepared with the removal of N, P and K. The design was completely randomized, with four replications and two plants per plot. The solutions were renewed every two weeks and the volume completed daily with deionized water, with pH maintained around 5.5 ± 0.5. The contents of N, P and K in the shoot at complete treatment and nutrient omission were, respectively, N = 32.20 and 18.24; P = 3.27 and 1.05; K = 56.88 and 16.91 g kg^-1. The initial plant growth was affected by the omission of all nutrients, and symptoms consistent with the pattern shown by most cultures. The most intense and immediate damages were observed in the absence of N, causing also causing deterioration of secondary roots and paralysis the issue of new roots.