Foliar content and visual symptoms of nutritional deficiency in pineapple ‘Vitória’

Abstract

The correct nutritional balance is necessary to achieve maximum productivity and fruit quality in pineapple culture. The aim was evaluate the effects of macronutrients and boron deficiencies in pineapple ‘Vitória’, in order to profile the deficiency visual symptoms and the plants nutritional contents. The experiment was conducted from October 2016 to April 2018, in Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, Brazil. The experimental design was random blocks, with eight treatments (complete solution, -N, -P, -K, -Ca, -Mg, -S and -B) and six replicates. The seedlings were planted in 20 L pots. Foliar contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and B were evaluated at eight, nine and sixteen months after planting. Nine months after planting, at the time of floral induction, the length, width, fresh mass and area of ‘D’ leaf were evaluated. The foliar contents found in the ‘D’ leaf at the ninth month of planting were: N: 12.5 g kg−1; P: 1.67 g kg−1; K: 29.8 g kg−1; Ca: 3.01 g kg−1; Mg: 2.60 g kg−1; S: 1.33 g kg−1 and B: 14.1 mg kg−1. Deficiencies of N, P, K, Mg and B reduced the fresh mass of ‘D’ leaf at the time of flower induction. Nitrogen deficiency caused visual symptoms on plants. Calcium and boron deficiencies reduced the firmness of the fruit peel, while nitrogen deficiency increased. Boron deficiency increased the occurrence of crooked peduncles in plants. Phosphorus deficiency reduced the diameter and length of the peduncle.