PRODUTIVIDADE E QUALIDADE DE RAÍZES DA MANDIOQUINHA-SALSA EM DIFERENTES NÍVEIS DE ADUBAÇÃO NPK

Abstract

The storage roots of arracacha have high nutritional value, being rich in carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins A and C, and starch of high digestibility. However, in this crop one of the decisive factors for the production of roots with higher nutritional value is the balanced fertilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield and nutritional quality of storage roots of arracacha, grown at increasing levels of NPK fertilization. The experiment was conducted in the randomized blocks design, with eight replications. The treatments consisted of three NPK levels (AD0 = unfertilized cultivation, AD1 = cultivation with 50% of recommended fertilization, and AD2 = cultivation with 100% ofrecommended fertilization). It was observedthat higher levels of NPK fertilization increase the number, size and marketable yield of storage roots of arracachacrop. NPK fertilization also increases the size and contentsof K, Mg, and Mn of storage roots, without interfering with the pulp pH and contentsof protein, Ca, Cu, and Fe. However, when the increase in root size is not accompanied by an increase in dry matter content, the starch, P, and Zn contents of the roots reduce with increasing levels of NPK fertilization.