Abstract
ABSTRACT The economic exploitation of macaw palm [Acrocomia aculeate(Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart.] is currently in transition, from extractivism to agricultural cultivation, thus requiring studies on the fertilization of the crop. This study evaluated the response of three genotypes of macaw palm to increasing rates of nitrogen and potassium, grown in the field until the 2nd year and to establish reference contents of mineral nutrients in the leaf. The experiment was a split-plot randomized block design with five main treatments (N and K rates) and three secondary treatments (genotypes), with three replications, each plot containing three plants. Plant height, leaf number, vigor, and nutrient contents in leaf tissues were evaluated at the end of 2nd year of cultivation. Differential responses were observed among genotypes, indicating that some genotypes are more efficient in the use of mineral inputs. There was a differentiated and positive response to increasing side-dressed N and K rates in the vegetative development of macaw genotypes until the 2nd year of field cultivation, indicating variability in the species in terms of nutrient use efficiency. The N and K fertilization rate corresponding to 360 g N + 480 g K2O per plant, in four split applications over the two years of cultivation, was insufficient to induce maximum vegetative development in the three macaw genotypes. There was no variation in macro- and micronutrient contents in leaf dry matter of the three macaw genotypes.
Highlights
Macaw palm [Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart.] is a naturally occurring oil palm in almost the entire territory of Brazil
This study evaluated the response of three genotypes of macaw palm to increasing rates of nitrogen and potassium, grown in the field until the 2nd year and to establish reference contents of mineral nutrients in the leaf
This study evaluated the response of three macaw genotypes, grown in the field until the 2nd year, to five N and K fertilizer rates, and proposed reference values of the mineral nutrient leaf concentrations of cultivated palm stands
Summary
Macaw palm [Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart.] is a naturally occurring oil palm in almost the entire territory of Brazil. Its productive potential can be compared with the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), which is the crop with highest oil yield and contributes to increase the proportion of vegetable oil produced worldwide (Corley and Tinker, 2003). In this context, macaw was identified as strategic crop to increase and diversify the production of vegetable oil, with a view to meet the demand for biodiesel (Motoike and Kuki, 2009; Pires et al, 2013). Little is known about the fertilization requirements of macaw palm
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