Chipilín (C. longirostrata Hook. and Arn.) Capacity for Regrowth and Leaf Area Production in Response to Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Application

Abstract

Background: Fertilizer application combined with successive foliage cuttings can positively affect plant growth, yield and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of chipilín to successive foliage cuttings and nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer application under greenhouse conditions. Methods: During 2018, an experiment was carried out in a greenhouse under a completely randomized design, with six replications of each treatment. The treatments were as follows: control, 100 kg ha-1 N as urea and 60 kg ha-1 P2O5 as triple superphosphate. The fertilizers were applied one month after planting (MAP). Two MAPs, uniform cuttings were performed, followed by three successive cuttings, with one every 30 days. At each cutting, the traits evaluated included the number of new shoots; the length, diameter, leaf area and dry biomass of the new shoots by component (leaves and stems); the relative growth rate (RGR) of the biomass of the shoot leaves, the chlorophyll (a, b and total) and carotenoid content and NDVI. Result: Cutting foliage every 30 days increased (p less than 0.05) the number of new shoots, leaf biomass, total biomass and leaf area, but reduced the length and diameter of the shoots. There was no effect (p greater than 0.05) of cutting on root biomass or nodulation, but there was an effect of fertilizer application, with both variables decreasing with nitrogen addition.