Macronutrient Omission Affects the Seedling Performance of Eugenia dysenterica DC., an Important Fruiting Species of the Cerrado Biome

Layara Alexandre Bessa,Fabianao Guimarães Silva,Luciana Cristina Vitorino

doi:10.5539/jas.v11n11p8

Abstract

Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) seedling production is currently important for the restoration of degraded areas of the Cerrado biome and to supply the demand for its fruits for regional food production. The plants of Cagaita have been described in the literature as resistant to nutrient-poor soils, but the studies remain inconclusive. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that initial E. dysenterica seedling development could be affected by the lack of specific nutrients. We planted seedlings of this species in complete hydroponic solution and under individual macronutrient omission of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S. The development of macronutrient deficiency symptoms was visually monitored for 120 days after transplantation in response to the treatment solution, and growth characteristics and tissue contents of different macronutrients were determined. The omissions of Mg and P were the treatments with the strongest effects on seedling growth. The most commonly observed deficiency symptoms were chlorosis and necrosis, in addition to leaf purpling (P deprivation), impaired root hair development (Ca and S deprivation) and a reduced number of leaves (Mg and P deprivation). The macronutrients Ca and N were most accumulated in the shoots and roots of plants subjected to complete nutrient solution, showing the importance of the availability of these nutrients in the initial stages of seedling development for the production of healthy Cagaita plants, with greater viability in the field.

Highlights

Eugenia dysenterica DC., commonly known as Cagaiteira, is a fruiting species that is native to the Cerrado and has potential for cultivation in traditional farming systems (e.g., Camilo et al, 2013)
From 30 to 120 days after transplanting (DAT), E. dysenterica plants grown in complete nutrient solution developed healthy leaves without symptoms of malnutrition
Widespread chlorosis was observed in the older leaves, progressing to initial necrosis detected at 45 DAT

Summary

Introduction

Eugenia dysenterica DC., commonly known as Cagaiteira, is a fruiting species that is native to the Cerrado and has potential for cultivation in traditional farming systems (e.g., Camilo et al, 2013). Interest in this species has been increasing due to its ornamental and economic value (Almeida, 1998). Polyphenols extracted from plants of the Myrtaceae family and E. dysenterica were found to be effective in attenuating dyslipidaemia and inflammation (Donado-Pestana et al, 2018a; Donado-Pestana et al, 2018b). Some studies have demonstrated the medicinal potential of fruits (e.g., Moraes et al, 2008), latex (e.g., Marinho et al, 2011), leaf extracts (e.g., Silva et al, 2011) and juice essential oils of species of the Eugenia genus (e.g., Ogunwande et al, 2005; Santos et al, 2004)

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Discussion

Conclusion