Initial growth of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) submitted to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization

Abstract

Research results on agronomic techniques for chia are still few, although this culture is very widespread. The study was carried out under greenhouse conditions, from June to August 2016, in the city of Campina Grande, PB, Brazil, with geographic coordinates 7 degree 13'11'' S, 35 degree 53'31'' W and altitude of 547.56 m. During this period the average air temperatures inside the greenhouse varied between 23.7 degreeC and 33.8 degreeC, with mean relative humidity around 52%. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization application on the development of chia. The research consisted of three independent experiments, following a completely randomized design to evaluate the performance of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in six doses, with three replications. Each experimental unit consisted of a plastic vase filled with 8 kg of sandy soil. The nutrient doses were as follows: 0; 25; 50; 75; 100 and 125 kg ha-1 of N; 0; 20; 40; 60; 80 and 100 kg ha-1 of P and 0; 20; 40; 60; 80 and 100 kg ha-1 of K. Analysis was made of the height of the plants (30 and 60 DAS) (measured with a graduated ruler), number of leaves and of inflorescence per plant and weight of the dry biomass. First results indicate that the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium doses favored the growth of chia plants in relation to control promoting an increase in all studied variables, evidencing the necessity of cultivation by these elements. In general, considering the values of the variables according to the increasing doses of nutrients, a preliminary recommendation could be indicated, under the conditions of this research, as 125: 100: 40 kg ha-1 of N: P: K. So the effect of these nutrients on chia need to be more investigated.