Development of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) under Different Doses of Phosphorus in a Sandy Soil with and without Gypsum

Abstract

Cowpea is a crop of great socioeconomic importance in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. In these regions, soils tend to be more acidic, causing greater difficulty in root development and absorption of nutrients available in deeper layers. Another limiting factor for the development of the culture is the inadequate management or even the non-use of phosphate fertilizers. In this context, the objective of the research was to evaluate the development of cowpea subjected to different doses of phosphorus, with and without the use of agricultural gypsum applied to a sandy soil surface. The experiment was carried out from February to June 2018, in a completely Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), Replicated four (4) times. The phosphorus dosages used were 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha - in soils with and without the use of gypsum. To verify the results, morphological and productivity parameters were analyzed. The best results were obtained at the dosage of 80 kg ha -1 of phosphorus for treatment with gypsum and without gypsum. The values ​​decreased with doses higher than 80 kg ha -1 in all parameters analyzed.